Green norms flouted for development

Local authorities - Noida, and Greater Noida brazenly flout environment impact assessment (EIA) notification-2006, which is a mandatory to obtain before carrying out any area development, alleged environmentalists. Vinod Rajput reports.

Local authorities- Noida, and Greater Noida brazenly flout environment impact assessment (EIA) notification-2006, which is a mandatory to obtain before carrying out any area development, alleged environmentalists.

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In EIA, green body ascertains whether the proposed development would drastically affect eco-system of that region or not.

Both the Noida and Greater Noida authorities not only flout NCRPB act-1985, but it is also not seeking environmental clearances, which are mandatory before planning to sell additional floor area ration (FAR) to builders to increase population density.

The Noida authority for that matter did not seek any environmental impact assessment before constructing landfill site adjoining residential cluster said a NGT appointed commissioner report.

Pramod Kumar Agarwal, additional chief executive officer of the authority said, "I cannot comment on this issue without looking into papers tomorrow."

"Peacocks, reptiles, blackbucks and other wildlife are under severe threat as their natural habitats are being vanished by the Greater Noida and Noida authorities in order to allot green spaces to builders. Had they sought all laid down environmental clearances before increasing FAR or other urbanisation, it would have not been possible," said Akash Vashishth, an environmentalist, who has sought intervention of environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan.

The Greater Noida authority said that individual builders had taken all necessary clearances before starting construction.

"Everyone has to get environmental clearances before starting construction on the ground. But for additional FAR, we do not seek any environmental clearance. We make a proposal invite residents' objections, and address all concerns. Later the proposal is sent to UP government," said Harish Kumar Verma ACEO of Greater Noida authority.

The Greater Noida authority officials also said that they do not need to seek no objection certificate from NCRPB before increasing FAR in city.

Violation of environmental norms would also affect the health of residents, who are going to live in these urbanized areas.

"Without determining as to what potential danger region's ecology would face with a new project, local authorities cannot go ahead with a development," said Vashishth.