Gurgaon: Maintain status quo on Basai wetland till November 16, says NGT
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by NGO Delhi Bird Foundation seeking a stay on the waste project being built near the Basai wetland.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has extended by a fortnight its order staying the work on a construction and debris (C&D) plant being built in the catchment area of the Basai wetland at Gurgaon.
A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim directed the authorities to maintain the status quo at the site till November 16, the next date of hearing.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by NGO Delhi Bird Foundation seeking a stay on the project contending that the Basai wetland, though not declared as a wetland under the 2010 Wetland (Conservation & Management) Rules, was a valuable water body.
“Having heard both sides, we are not satisfied that the interim order granted on July 27 needs any further modification. We accede the request of the respondents that the hearing of the matter could be expedited,” the bench said.
On July 5, the NGT had ordered a status quo after noting the adverse impact of the upcoming C&D plant on the water body.
The green panel had earlier said the applicant has made out a prima facie case for directing preservation of the land in question until a further order from the tribunal.
The tribunal was earlier informed that the boundary wall of the plant, being developed by IL&FS Environmental Infrastructure and Services Ltd, was adjacent to the area known for its rich biodiversity and bird species.
The Haryana government had said the area was not a notified wetland.
“The construction and debris plant which is under process of establishment shall have an adverse impact on the water body due to various activities connected with the plant,” the plea had said.
The plant, according to the Gurugram Municipal Corporation, will be spread over 3.5 acres and process 500 tonnes of waste a day.
The NGT had earlier issued notices to the environment ministry, the Haryana government, the Gurugram Municipal Corporation and the IL&FS Environmental Infrastructure and Services Ltd after the NGO alleged that the Basai wetland was in a critical condition due to the project.