No development around 100 sq metres of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary
In a reprieve to about 60,000 flat owners in Noida, the Union Environment Ministry has decided to declare 100 square metres around the Okhla Bird Sanctuary as a no-development or eco-sensitive zone. Senior government sources said percent that the ministry’s forest division tasked with demarcating eco-sensitive zones around wildlife parks and sanctuaries had submitted its report.
It recommended that no development should take place in 100 sq metres of the Okhla Park those pans across Delhi and Noida. A final notification is expected after the ministry submits its decision before the National Green Tribunal that is hearing a public interest litigation seeking declaration of 10 sq km around the Okhla Bird Sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone.
The ministry officials said they agreed with the ground truthing survey, conducted by the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi, which found there was not much green area beyond the specified limit for protection. The survey said implementing a bigger eco-sensitive zone would be difficult.
The decision has finally been taken in favour of the sanctuary in order to protect the green life.
Source: Hindustan Times
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