UP submits Govardhan compliance report

Tribunal passed order in 2015 stating no encroachments should take place in the area

The police were told to ensure that no construction activity or tree felling takes place without NGT orders.

Following orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Uttar Pradesh government on May 16 submitted a compliance report pertaining to recommendations made by the green panel for the Govardhan pilgrimage site.

The green panel had in 2015 passed a detailed order stating that there should be no encroachments in the area.

Further it had asked the police to ensure that no construction activity or felling of trees takes place without the orders from the NGT.

A Bench headed by NGT acting chairperson Jawad Rahim on Wednesday, further directed petitioner Giriraj Parikrama Sanrakshan Sansthan to submit a list of waterbodies and ponds where encroachment has been alleged.

‘File affidavit’

“File an affidavit specifically giving the names of water bodies or ponds wherein encroachment has take place and hindrance is being created to the public for use to worship or bathing,” the Bench told the applicants.

Further, the green panel has directed the Superintendent of Police of Mathura and Bharatpur to be present before the tribunal.

On May 4, the green panel had come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government for not complying with orders passed by the NGT in 2015.

“This is a classic example where various methods have been adopted by the respondents to drag the matter as far as possible and avoid compliance of the court’s order. It had been ordered that in case the compliance is not made, coercive action will be taken against officers. But all that was of no avail for those who ere to make the compliance,” the Bench had said.