DC seeks explanation from forest dept over Aravali drain

Taking note of a February 11 HT report, city deputy commissioner PC Meena has sought an explanation from the forest department over the issue of declaring a natural drain and bund as a notified area.

Taking note of a February 11 HT report, city deputy commissioner PC Meena has sought an explanation from the forest department over the issue of declaring a natural drain and bund as a notified area. According to the forest department, no action has been taken against encroachers amid lack of directions from the DC.

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Meena has set a 7-day deadline for the reply to be dealt with on a priority basis. The DC wants to know why the forest department didn't raise the issue during the monthly inter-department meetings.

"I am not happy with the fact that forest officials didn't brief me about the demarcation issue that has been pending for the past several years. Instead, they have been misguiding the media," Meena said.

Demarcation orders for the year-old natural drains emanating from the Aravali Hills and man-made bund (better known as Nathupur and Chakarpur) has been stuck in bureaucratic red tape. According to officials, such orders have to be issued by the deputy commissioner.

Besides bunds and drains of Chakarpur in DLF Sushant Lok area, other areas such as Nathupur, Wazirabad, Ghata and Jharsa are also on the forest officials' list.