The National Green Tribunal is hearing a petition raising concern over the building of convention centre in the Pragati Maidan Complex without prior environmental compliance of Air Act and Water Act and leading to cutting of large number of trees which are used by the migratory birds in the Delhi zoo.

On Monday (Sep 10), the counsel for the petitioner Ritwick Dutta said that a traffic impact assessment has not been conducted while building such convention centre and it will result in increase of traffic and felling of trees which are used by migratory birds which come to the Delhi zoo nearby.

Dutta further said that how the building permission was granted for the complex without the compliance of Air Act and Water Act. He argued that huge money invested in these buildings and everytime it (money) takes precedence over environment and if such is the case then let’s have not environmental laws at all.

—India Legal Bureau