NOIDA: In a major setback to realty projects in Noida, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday ordered the Noida Authority to stop construction work of all projects which do not have requisite environmental clearances within 10km radius of Okhla bird sanctuary. The tribunal has also directed Noida Authority to conduct a fresh survey and find out the projects falling within the radius.

The tribunal also ordered Noida Authority to inspect the projects which are allegedly being carried out by 53 builders, along with any authorized person nominated by the person who has filed the case and the police, if required.

The case applicant has also been directed to point out the identity of other buildings which are allegedly within the radius of 10km from Okhla bird sanctuary. “The applicant also shall identify the names of builders and apply for impleading them by the next date of hearing,” the tribunal said.

After this direction, the Authority will have to identify projects being constructed without obtaining proper environmental clearance and immediately stop them by making necessary panchanamas. The date of joint inspection has to be settled in consultation with the counsel of both the applicant and the Noida Authority.

Talking to TOI, counsel for the applicant, Gaurav Bansal said that the petitioner is demanding a ban on construction around Okhla bird sanctuary to save the natural wildlife habitat.

Local environmentalists had on July 8 filed a petition in the tribunal demanding that construction around the bird sanctuary be stopped to protect the wildlife habitat.

On July 11, NGT issued a notice to the Centre, the state government and Noida Authority, among others. On July 19, the green body directed all concerned authorities to file their replies on the matter by August 14.

Meanwhile, developers said that as they have bought land from Noida Authority, the agency should protect their interests. “We hope the matter is sorted out soon,” said CREDAI (western UP) office bearer and CMD of Supertech, RK Arora.

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