New Delhi: The forest department informed the NGT that it has directed the MCD to remove waste and debris dumped on forest land in the Southern Ridge. The department also said it planned to plant 60,000 saplings on the cleared land using the Miyawaki plantation method. The plantation will be done in four months as winters are not suitable.The NGT is hearing a plea filed by a local seeking action against the misuse of forest land in Bhati village. In Nov last year, the tribunal observed that forest land in south Delhi’s Bhati village lacked the requisite fencing, display boards warning trespassers, and adequate tree plantation, with waste lying around. It sought an action taken report from agencies, including the forest department.In a report dated Jan 4, the forest department said khasra numbers were identified that did not have proper fencing and plantation. The forest department wrote to the deputy commissioner (south zone) on Dec 19 to remove the waste lying in these khasra numbers.“An area of two hectares has been identified for carrying out the required plantation in the vacant forest land parcels, subject to proper direct access to forest land…. The administrative approval was sought for the creation and maintenance of a dense forest by planting saplings of native species of trees in the ridge forest area of Village Bhatti by adopting the Miyawaki method and demarcating the boundaries by installing fencing around the khasra(s),” said the report. It also wrote to the district magistrate (south) on Jan 2 to take remedial measures to provide access to the forest department in respect of certain land-locked parcels of forest land in these khasras.
