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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ghaziabad District Magistrate to ensure that no illegal construction takes place in Sai Upvan, the city's 200-acre urban forest, while hearing a case on its deteriorating environmental condition. The tribunal issued an interim order after allegations of unauthorised construction and ecological degradation were raised. Authorities have been instructed to maintain the status quo until the next hearing, reinforcing judicial scrutiny over urban green spaces and environmental conservation.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has passed an interim order directing the Ghaziabad District Magistrate to prevent any illegal construction within Sai Upvan, a 200-acre urban forest in Uttar Pradesh, amid concerns over environmental degradation and unauthorised development. The order comes as the tribunal continues to hear a petition highlighting the deteriorating ecological condition of the forest, often referred to as the "lungs" of Ghaziabad.
The tribunal instructed the district administration to ensure that no unauthorised construction activity is carried out in the forest area until further orders. The interim direction was issued after allegations that civic authorities had undertaken construction within the protected green zone without appropriate environmental approvals. The applicant's claims reportedly remained unchallenged during the hearing as the concerned civic body did not appear before the tribunal.
Sai Upvan has been the subject of environmental concern for several months. Earlier this year, the NGT sought responses from central and state authorities over allegations that improper solid waste dumping and sewage discharge had severely affected the health of the forest ecosystem. Environmental groups have claimed that thousands of trees have been impacted due to prolonged pollution and encroachment pressures.
The latest order reinforces the tribunal's emphasis on protecting urban forests from encroachment and unregulated development. Urban forests play a vital role in improving air quality, supporting biodiversity, regulating local temperatures and providing ecological balance within rapidly expanding cities. Environmental experts have consistently warned that unchecked construction activity inside such green zones can permanently damage fragile ecosystems and reduce their capacity to provide essential environmental services.
The tribunal's intervention also places greater responsibility on the district administration to monitor activities within the forest and prevent further violations. The District Magistrate has been directed to ensure compliance with the order while the matter remains under judicial consideration. The next hearing is expected to examine the status of the alleged construction activities and responses from the concerned authorities.
The case highlights the increasing judicial oversight of urban environmental governance as Indian cities continue to face mounting development pressures. Courts and environmental regulators have repeatedly stressed that infrastructure expansion must comply with environmental laws and cannot come at the expense of protected green spaces.
The NGT's interim order is expected to temporarily halt any ongoing or proposed construction within Sai Upvan until the matter is decided. The outcome of the proceedings could influence future management and conservation measures for the city forest while reaffirming the importance of safeguarding urban ecological assets against illegal encroachment and environmentally harmful activities.
Source - PTI
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