Summary:
GHAZIABAD: The National Green Tribunal has directed the district administration to remove all encroachments from near Arthala lake , the largest water body in Ghaziabad . Action will be taken as per the order and executed by the administration through GDA.” It is also one of the major ground water recharging sources in the district. The encroachments around Arthala lake could be housing at least 7,000 people, sources said.The NGT order came after a year-long litigation started by a city-based NGO, Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity (SPENBIO).“The encroachment of the lake has led to the reduction of its area from 2,03,662 square metres to 1,32,000 square metres. The tribunal’s principal bench in Delhi, headed by judicial member Justice Raghuvendra Singh Rathod and comprising expert Dr S S Garbyal has given the authorities three months’ time to comply with its order.Arthala is one of the main water bodies in the district and lies in close proximity to Hindon..