Road inside wetland? Greens see red

NOIDA: A patch of land that falls under the Surajpur wetland has been allegedly encroached on to build a road inside the forest by putting a culvert across Hawaliya drain.

Environmentalist Vikrant Tongad said some local residents informed him on Monday that a road was being built and lights installed at the start of the Surajpur Chowk on Surajpur-Dadri Road by clearing shrubs and grass inside the forested area.

“This road is said to be constructed by some contractors in collaboration with some politically connected people. It is illegal to build a road by clearing a reserve forest,” Tongad said.

The district forest officer, on the other hand, has maintained that the local villagers had requested the forest department to provide a way to reach the Barahi Mandir in Surajpur.

“It is an ancient temple and every year we create a path for villagers to reach the fair. After the fair is over, the route is closed. There is no illegal construction,” DFO Pramod Srivastav said.

As per the Wetland Rules, 2010 any construction of permanent structures is prohibited in the eco-sensitive area. In 2016, the National Green Tribunal restrained UP govt from carrying out any construction inside Surajpur wetlands in Greater Noida after a plea claimed construction of permanent structures inside the eco-sensitive area.


We also published the following articles recently

Election boycott: Forest norms bar roads, power in Melghat villages Six Melghat villages boycott elections due to lack of infrastructure like roads and power, reflecting a conflict between conservation norms and the need for basic facilities in tribal areas.

Wildfire breaks out in forest area in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore Wildfire in Nellore's Somashila forest area prompts officials' efforts to control the blaze. Visuals capture raging fire. Experts attribute the rise in forest fires in southern India to factors like high aridity and above average temperatures.

Nadigar Sangam building construction work resumes Vishal, Pandavar team begin Nadigar Sangam building in 2017 despite delays. Construction resumes with key members like Karthi and Poochy S. Murugan joining. The project progresses with support from various personalities and financial contributions.