NGT Directs Environment Ministry to Investigate Okhla Bird Sanctuary Construction

NGT orders inspection over alleged illegal construction in Okhla Bird Sanctuary.
The NGT asked a representative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to visit the Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Noida and report back if unauthorised construction had gone on in the protected zone. This was passed amidst a plea that permanent unauthorised structures were going up within the sanctuary spread over the Yamuna floodplain.

A bench of NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel heard the petition on 13 December 2023 and took note of the submissions made by NOIDA. NOIDA’s counsel relied on the submission that a road construction was made inside the sanctuary. That was withdrawn and demolished. Authority’s counsel clarified that no permanent structure came to be erected within the precincts of the said sanctuary.

But still, the NGT has chosen to tread slow and has directed that an officer of the MoEFCC be stationed to carry out an in-depth inspection of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary. The tribunal has ordered the representative to inquire if there are any impermissible constructions existing in the sanctuary and report back to it within eight weeks.

The plea has come forth only after filing, stating that the DFO in charge of the sanctuary is also a party to such constructions. Such activities can have a direct environmental impact and in an area as sensitive as the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, hosting important species of migratory and resident birds.

In its order, NGT acknowledged the response of the authority wherein it had averred that construction of roads had been stopped and dismantled and insisted that the same could be ascertained during an inspection for strict compliance of environmental law. The tribunal further mentioned the point that ecological integrity of sanctuary must be preserved and a conservation norm adhered to in this case.

It is a bird sanctuary, a protected site under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, located on the floodplains of the Yamuna River. In addition to being an ecological hotspot, this place is a habitat for many migratory birds, so any development in the area may jeopardize not only the lives of the local community but the ecosystem of which their lives depend on.

This order of the NGT, in this respect, will pave the way towards saving these ecologically sensitive areas from the threats which are likely to emanate from uncontrolled development. This order passed by the tribunal for inspection would make sure that all activities going on within this sanctuary were being carried on under environmental protection laws and rules.

Now, the officer from MoEFCC will go to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary and ascertain whether an offense of protection rules has happened or not. It will decide whether further legal action is to be taken or not in this case.

It happens to be one of the many long histories of concerns of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India; all these are under immense pressure due to development activities and encroachment. And gradually, the administration faces immense pressure to hold its integrity as well as deal with the violations the minute they take place.

It presents the concern of the NGT on the protection of the environment as well as that every law and regulatory mechanism of India in regard to natural heritage should be followed in the correct direction. The order by the tribunal will remind all of the need for passing the conservation laws and regulations in every nook and corner of the country regarding the proper inspection of the area.

Conclusion:As MoEFCC is preparing to inspect, the public and environmental groups would surely scrutinize whether illegal construction remains inside the Okhla Bird Sanctuary and if actions are taken to correct them accordingly. The NGT provided the deadline for the submission of the report as eight weeks, and after that time frame, further hearing of the matter would be performed. Meanwhile, the issue that has been ongoing to this day is the sanctuariness as a key habitat for wildlife, while its discussion in the aspect of conservation versus development requirements remains.