NGT notice to Environment Ministry, Haryana on plea against Medanta hospital

The National Green Tribunal(NGT) sought responses from the Centre and Haryana government on a plea by an NGO alleging encroachment of forest land and illegal construction of a concrete wall by a leading private hospital in Gurugram.

A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Haryana government, Medanta hospital and others while seeking their replies by March 7.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by NGO Sarv Jan Kalyan Seva Samiti seeking removal of the wall allegedly being constructed by the hospital in Sector-38 of Gurugram.

The NGO was represented through advocates Siddharth Yadav and Vipin Gupta before the bench, which also comprised Expert Member B S Sajwan.

“Haryana Government vide notification duly notified Jharsa Bund as forest land and the said area falls in the revenue estate of village Jharsa in Gurugram district.

“Medanta hospital (The Medicity) has its land adjacent to the said Jharsa bund/forest land in Sector-38, Gurugram….

The … bund has been encroached upon by the Respondent no 4 (Medanta) by constructing a concrete wall, further by removing the soil of the said bund, cutting trees and removing them from the spot,” the plea alleged.

The private hospital has not only removed the soil and cut the trees, but also started dumping garbage and hazardous material which is a source of grave pollution and causing a serious damage to the environment,” it said while seeking directions for restoration of the encroached forest land to its original position.