(MOREPIC1)Chandigarh (Subhash Jindal)
Punjab and Haryana High Court directs GMADA and PUDA to take a decision for removal of concrete surrounding the trees within one meter of such trees, in the light of decision dated 18.02.2020, taken by Municipal Corporation, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali.
The Bench of Chief Justice and Justice Arun Palli today issued direction to PUDA (Punjab Urban Development Authority) and GMADA (Greater Mohali Development Authority) to take appropriate decision for ensuring the removal of the concrete surrounding the trees within one meter of such trees, in the light of office order dated 18.02.2020, passed by Executive Engineer Municipal Corporation, S.A.S. Nagar Mohali.
(SUBHEAD)It is pertinent to note that in pursuance to a PIL filed through H.C.Arora Advocate by one NGO-Save My Trees Foundation India, through its Convener Amarjit Singh Minhas, the Municipal Corporation, S.A.S. Nagar, had taken a decision on 18.02.2020, to implement the directions issued by National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, in the case of Aditya N. Prasad versus Union of India and others to the following effect:-
“(i) All the sign boards, names, advertisements, any kind of boards or signages, electric wires and high tension cables or otherwise be removed from the trees forthwith, to avoid any mishappening.
(ii) Also ensure that the concrete surrounding the trees within one metre of the trees be removed forthwith and all the trees be looked after well and due precaution be taken in future so that no concrete or construction or repairing work is done at least within one metre radius of trunk of tees.
(iii) Take all and every prohibitive measures to prevent the defacing of trees in any manner whatsoever, only its trimming in accordance with law be done.
(iv) Boards fixed on the trees shall be removed.”
Today when the aforesaid PIL came up for further hearing before the Division Bench of High Court, the counsel for the petitioner-NGO brought it to the notice of the High Court that while Municipal Corporation S.A.S. Nagar Mohali has taken steps to comply with the aforesaid order issued by National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, and initiated steps for de-concretization process, around the trees, standing in S.A.S. Nagar, and has invited e-tenders for de-concretization around trees in the areas of Zone-1, 2, 3 and 4, Municipal Corporation, S.A.S. Nagar, and process was continued, whereas the respondents- PUDA (Punjab Urban Development Authority) and GMADA (Greater Mohali Development Authority) have not so far taken any such decision. At this stage, the HC Bench directed PUDA (Punjab Urban Development Authority) and GMADA (Greater Mohali Development Authority), and DC, Mohali also to take appropriate decisions in the light of the office order/decision dated 18.02.2020 taken by the Municipal Corporation, S.A.S. Nagar Mohali, expeditiously and disposed the PIL, with the aforesaid direction.
