The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), on December 5, 2017, told a bench headed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar that biodiversity parks, would be developed along the banks of the Yamuna river in a phased manner, to prevent encroachments and the principal committee constituted by the green panel, has approved its plan to develop the parks in different phases. Phase-I of the project would be developed in the stretch between old Yamuna rail-cum-road bridge and the old ITO bridge and would be completed by April 2018, the DDA said.
See also: Biodiversity parks along the Yamuna, in a phased manner: DDA to NGT
Advocate Kush Sharma, appearing for the DDA, told the tribunal that it has demarcated the floodplains of river Yamuna, on the basis of floods that occur once in 25 years and it has also been delineated. “The DDA has prepared a comprehensive plan, for the development of biodiversity parks on the Yamuna floodplains. This work is divided into four phases, which has also been approved by the principal committee. The work of Phase-I of has been started by the project proponent and the entire project would be completed by April 2018,” the bench noted.
The tribunal had, in January 2015, directed the DDA to develop biodiversity parks along the Yamunas banks in the national capital, so that the floodplains do not become a dumping ground for waste and could be made spots of scenic beauty. The tribunal had earlier said that development of the floodplains had to be strictly done, keeping biodiversity intact and ensuring that no major construction activity was allowed on the floodplain.
