Centre tests Mayawati’s patience on Noida park

Even as the Mayawati Government gets impatient to complete construction work and installation of Dalit leaders’ statues at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Park, Noida, the Centre seems to be in no hurry on the issue.

Even as the Mayawati Government gets impatient to complete construction work and installation of Dalit leaders’ statues at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Park, Noida, the Centre seems to be in no hurry on the issue.

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In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) said it would need more time to arrive at a “final and conclusive decision” regarding the possible impact of such construction and felling of thousands of trees on the environment.

The MOEF said the detailed study reports from Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and N.G. Ranga Agriculture University, Hyderabad, Wildlife Preservation Institute, Dehradun and Environment Consultants submitted by Noida Authority was reviewed by a panel of experts on June 28 and 29.

“Given the gravity of the matter and nature of the project along with its impact on surrounding bio-diversity and its proximity to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, the MOEF needs to get the measures recommended by the three institutions, vetted by an appropriate body possessing the requisite expertise, particularly in the field of wildlife preservation and bio-diversity,” the affidavit said.

“Given the nature of the findings and various viewpoints, the MoEF will now move to examine the matter further in an integrated and holistic manner before arriving at final and conclusive decision,” the Ministry said in the affidavit.

The MOEF affidavit is a setback to the Mayawati Government, which claimed to be losing Rs 3 lakh a day due to the stay on the Rs 685-crore project. Maintaining that 75 per cent of the work had already been completed, it wanted the court to lift the stay on construction at the park, where statues of UP Chief Minister Mayawati and her mentor late Kanshiram were to be installed.

The Forest Bench headed by Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia will consider the affidavit on Friday.

The Supreme Court had on April 22 asked the MOEF to examine the likely adverse impact of the felling of 6,000 trees and large-scale construction at the park and submit a report.