Govt claim to protect city ridge an eyewash: NGT

The national green tribunal on Wednesday issued summons to the principal secretary (revenue and forests) to appear before the tribunal on July 22.

The national green tribunal on Wednesday issued summons to the principal secretary (revenue and forests) to appear before the tribunal on July 22.

The tribunal said government agencies have failed to implement its order to remove debris and encroachment from the Delhi ridge and settle forest rights of local people. The tribunal termed the efforts made by these agencies an eyewash.

“It is a shocking state of affairs that since 1994 forest rights or the forest areas in Delhi have not been settled by any authority... The response to the question of settlement of rights of citizens is completely silent, vague and uncertain in terms,” the tribunal said.