Grazing land allotted to Builders
Noida Authority has replied to an RTI that a large portion of grazing and forest land has been allotted to several developers in Noida. Construction is being carried out on these lands in various sectors in Noida. Diversion of grazing land and forest land for commercial purpose has been banned by the Supreme Court in 2011. The court had ordered that the government must provide compensation if any pasture area was used for urgent community needs like hospitals and schools.
Gopal Saxena, who is a Noida resident, had filed an RTI with Noida Authority seeking details of land used for commercial purposes in sectors 113, 117, 74 and 79. In response, the authority clarified that 19,470 sq metres, 54,260 sq metres, 19,470 sq metres forest land respectively in sectors 113, 117 and 79.
Developers claim that grazing land has been used for development of roads or greenbelts around their projects. AV Rajamauli, Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate says if they receive a complaint they will examine on what ground the land use was changed and what was the process adopted for the change of land use. The authority claims that grazing land had been allotted to realtors under the UP Industrial Act 1976 even when the apex court had banned non-grazing activities on grazing land.
Source: The Times of India
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