No more public functions in east Delhi park: NGT to civic bodies

Civic bodies have been restrained by the National Green Tribunal from allowing any public function at a park in Mayur Vihar area in east Delhi the national capital, stating that the “flora may be destroyed”.

Marriage and religious functions in the park, if permitted, can destroy the flora around, noted the bench headed by acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim, on Tuesday.

“As none of the respondents have filed replies in the case, we find justification in the argument of the applicant seeking interim orders. Considering that the size of the park is not very big, there is likelihood of the flora getting destroyed. Therefore, we restrain the respondents from allowing public function in the park,” the bench said.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by resident Shalini Tyagi, seeking directions to restrain the forest department and others from chopping trees in “Mahavir Vatika” in Mayur Vihar Phase-II to protect the ecology of the area.

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The next hearing on the matter is scheduled on July 23.

As many as 25 full grown trees have been axed and the civic bodies were planning to chop more trees, the petition alleged, showing photographs of the actual condition of the park to the NGT.

“The greenery of the park has vanished and environment has degraded due to illegal cutting of trees and frequent use of the park for public functions,” the plea said.

The plea was filed through advocate Rahul Mohod. It alleged that the East Delhi Municipal Corporation allots the park for functions after taking requisite fees though there is a community hall in the area.

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