Uncaging growth and development around Okhla Bird Sanctuary - (19 Aug 2015)

MANU/ENVT/0038/2015

Environment

In an aptly named Notification, 'Central Government hereby notifies an area up to one hundred meter from the eastern, western and southern boundary and an area up to 1.27 kilometers from the northern boundary of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary in the State of Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, as Okhla Bird Sanctuary Eco-sensitive Zone', the government put to bed the order of the National Green Tribunal in 2010 that attracted some opprobrium. Aside from 50,000 home owners expected to take possession of their flats, it is estimated that the state is likely to recover about Rs. 2,000 crores, much of it as stamp duty.

Relevant : The Okhla Bird Sanctuary, encompassing about 4 square kilometres on the banks of the Yamuna, is recognised as an aquatic habitat for over 300 species of birds migrating during the winter months, all of which will be affected by the government's order. Yet, peering by new, nosy neighbours is likely to be the least of avian ails: used as a bathing pool for cattle, housing a crematorium, and contending with spirited visitors, the Sanctuary has witnessed ever-shorter and sparser migration seasons. However, to allay fears of encroachment and otherwise disturbing the bird's migratory patterns by renewed construction and habitation, the government in its Notification mandated Monitoring Committees from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to ensure compliance with prohibitions on the slivers of the new eco-sensitive zone.

Tags : ENVIRONMENT OKHLA SANCTUARY BIRD HOMES