New Delhi: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has informed National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has identified encroachments in a forest patch in Saket along the Press Enclave Road. The DDA, which is the land-owning agency, said that it had confirmed the presence of unauthorised constructions through an inspection, but was unable to act against the encroachers due to an ongoing court case over the land.Following some media reports, the tribunal last year in June took note that over 500 jhuggis were made on nearly a six-acre forest patch in Saket. One article flagged instances of waste burning, and added that the encroachers were trying to build permanent houses. In an order dated June 25, 2024, NGT issued notices to agencies, seeking to know what action was taken.The DDA, in its report dated May 21 that was uploaded on Sept 25, stated that officers of Delhi govt and DDA on Feb 13 inspected the area. It mentioned the construction of “new and some old” graves and “temporary sheds”. The report added that “certain areas have been occupied by kabariwalas, and a few jhuggis have been illegally erected”. The land was transferred to DDA by the ministry of rehabilitation in 1979.The DDA said that it had made multiple attempts to remove the encroachments between 2014 and 2015 but had run into roadblocks. “A demolition proforma was prepared along with a site plan, which was approved by the competent authority, and accordingly, a demolition program was scheduled for Aug 28, 2014. However, as police support for the planned demolition could not be made available, the demolition could not be conducted,” the report said. Subsequent drives also failed. DDA said that another case concerning the land is already pending in Delhi High Court since 2012.“DDA humbly requests some time from NGT for placing the pleadings of this case before these two courts,” it added.
