NGT Flags Illegal Tree Felling in Dwarka Project

New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday flagged environmental violations, including illegal tree felling, by a realtor who has executed an agreement with the DDA to construct a multi-sports arena, stadium, clubs and other facilities at Dwarka here.

The green body, which directed authorities to ascertain the environmental damage and take appropriate punitive and remedial action, was hearing a plea claiming environmental violations in the construction of "The Omaxe State" in Dwarka's Sector 19B by Worldstreet Sports Centre Limited, a subsidiary of Omaxe Limited.

A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has decided to develop an integrated multi-sports arena at Sector 19B, Dwarka, comprising an outdoor and an indoor stadium, a sports club and sports commercial facilities.

It noted that by an agreement in July 2022, Worldstreet was granted development rights for constructing the integrated multi-sports arena and commercial facilities on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis, but the company had to comply with the laws while undertaking the project.

"In the present case, the recommendation made by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) was conditional, specifically noting that 1,965 trees will be cut in the proposed project and imposing the specific condition that no tree will be cut without permission from the state forest department," the bench said.

Rejecting the realtor company's submissions about having received a "deemed clearance", the tribunal said, "No permission from the forest department before cutting the trees has been placed on record by the project proponent."


"On the contrary, the material on record indicates illegal felling, and hence, the project proponent has violated the EAC recommendation," it added.

The NGT said the company has violated the green norms as it proceeded with construction by felling trees without an environmental clearance (EC).

The tribunal said though the company has denied cutting trees, satellite imagery has indicated illegal felling of trees.

"Hence, the tree officer or district forest officer (concerned) is required to immediately carry out a spot inspection and take into account the satellite imagery, find out the extent of illegal felling of trees and take appropriate remedial and punitive action in accordance with the law," it said.

The tribunal directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to take an appropriate decision regarding the grant of an EC after considering the violations.

It also asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take appropriate punitive and remedial measures within eight weeks.

"The tree officer and member secretary, DPCC, will submit the action-taken report within three months. If deemed necessary, the matter will be listed for consideration before the bench again," the tribunal said.