Demanding action against an “illegal” cremation ground coming up on the Yamuna floodplain, residents near the area have approached the Delhi government and written to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) chairperson Swatanter Kumar to stop the “exploitation of the sensitive ecosystem of the floodplains”.
Yamuna floodplain
Calling it an illegal encroachment , Mayur Kunj Residents Welfare Forum president P. J. B. Khorana, in his letter to the authorities, said the cremation ground is being constructed by the East Delhi Municipal Committee (EDMC) on the floodplain adjoining the main Delhi-UP Link Road opposite Nagarjuna Apartments.
“We met with the EDMC councillor, who told us that she hasn’t authorised the construction. We now suspect that it is the Chilla villagers who have done this illegal encroachment,’’ said Mr. Khorana.
Area councillor Sandhya Verma said: “I have given no permission for construction on the Yamuna floodplain. We also haven’t allowed any board to be put up. The land belongs to the PWD and I will recommend strong action against those who are indulging in this illegal activity.”
The residents added that the cremation ground is less than a kilometre from the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, where as per notification no new construction is permitted.
