RIDGE BACHAO ANDOLAN

 

- PRESS RELEASE -

 

The concerned citizens and environmentalists who had raised serious objections over the last two years against the construction of shopping malls in Vasant Kunj stand vindicated by the latest affidavit filed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in the Supreme Court today.

 

The ministry has admitted that the topography of the sites of Vasant Kunj Malls is of Ridge. They have also established the environmental value of the area, particularly, as a ground water recharge zone.

 

The ministry have blamed DDA for not having exercised environmental caution by developing this area. In the opinion of the ministry, DDA is also in violation of the master plan of Delhi. It is averred in the affidavit that in hindsight, the location of a large commercial complex in this area is environmentally unsound, and giving clearance to such a project even with conditions attached is largely a compromise with the de-facto situation.

 

While recommending a solution, the ministry seems to have taken a turnaround and is now talking of damage control through Environment Management Programme and resource conservation measures rather than cancelling the construction projects and restoring the area to its pristine glory.

 

When the MoEF has accepted that the whole project is illegal, it is now suggesting to the Supreme Court that in order to save the investors’ money, the projects ‘may’ be given the go ahead by compromising on the protected status of the area.

 

QUOTES FROM KUMAR ONKARESHWAR

It seems that the government has clearly accepted that it is under the pressure of the moneyed. Hence, the constructions should be given a green signal by the Supreme Court. It seems the country’s next environmental policy is to give priority to the protection of investors rather than the environment, invalidating the existence of the MoEF.

 

Also, the noting by MoEF that DDA is guilty of not taking environmental precautions while auctioning the area, should have come with imposition of penalty on the DDA, in particular on the DDA officials involved in the hasty and nasty auction.

 

QUOTES FROM RAJENDRA SINGH, NOTED ENVIRONMENTALIST

Presently, the ground water reserves of the country are depleting at a very fast pace. The government of India is highly worried about this fact. Hon’ble prime minister has also expressed his apprehension and formed an advisory committee on building ground water sanctuaries. And possibly, a new bill is also coming in this session of parliament on this matter. All this shows how serious the scenario is. Hon’ble Supreme Court has also expressed its deep concerns on the matter. Ground water situation is turning very bad in the ridge area of Delhi. Keeping in mind the PM’s suggestions on ground water sanctuary, and to keep the water problem at bay, the ridge area as a whole should be declared a ground water sanctuary. This would also mean a good beginning being made from the PM’s doorstep.

 

QUOTES FROM “RAKESH Agarwal” – SECRETARY OF NYAYABHOOMI

Everybody agrees here, including all wings of the government, that the laws have been flagrantly violated. If the malls in Vasant Kunj still manage to get the sanction to recommence construction, this would tantamount to putting a premium on illegality.

 

QUOTES FROM “DIWAN SINGH” – RIDGE BACHAO ANDOLAN

The idea of a compromise by the government on this matter makes us wonder why the jhuggis are uprooted in the name of environment whereas the big fish are allowed to get away. It is also a message to the land mafia to go ahead with illegal construction as they will definitely get a compromise solution from the government.

 

QUOTES FROM “UDAY GOSAIN” – VASANT KUNJ RESIDENT

Our nature loving CM, who is spearheading the Plant More Trees campaign in the capital may like to pay heed to the MoEF’s acceptance of the importance of the region. Water and Forest are the two core issues close to her heart and, overlooking this illegality would reflect an anomaly.

 

The continuing of the malls would break a lot of people’s belief in the law, whereas the stoppage will result in an exponential increase of confidence in our judiciary.