HC seeks govt reply on steps taken to prevent hill cutting

Guwahati: Gauhati high court has directed state govt to file a report on the measures taken to tackle the hill-cutting problem in greater Guwahati and surrounding areas.The bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N Unni Krishnan Nair was hearing a petition filed by the North East Eco Development Society last year over the city's flooding issue during the monsoon.Pursuant to the previous direction by the court, the department of housing and urban affairs, through an affidavit, submitted before the court that the work for the preparation of a GIS-based comprehensive drainage master plan and detailed report is in progress.The court noted that it is stated in the affidavit that currently, work related to the topographical survey and detailed inventory of the existing stormwater drain for the preparation of the master plan, in consultation with all the departments concerned, and the preparation of the detailed project report for the Bahini river sub-basin is in progress.Amicus Curiae advocate KN Choudhury submitted before the court that some suggestions were offered by a retired IAS officer, who was the chief executive officer of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).The court said in those suggestions, it is mainly suggested that hill-cutting permission and building permission in the low-lying areas not be issued for at least three years or until effective steps are taken to tackle the flood problem in Guwahati.The court added that it is also suggested that all the reserve forests within greater Guwahati should be made encroachment-free and massive plantation drives should be undertaken by the forest department.Choudhury and advocate general D Saikia highlighted that hill cutting is one of the reasons for the flood problem in Guwahati. It is contended that though the land is required in connection with construction purposes, rampant hill cutting is to be checked and stopped.The court hoped that the suggestions and views offered by the retired IAS officer would be taken into consideration while preparing the master plan.Guwahati: Gauhati high court has directed state govt to file a report on the measures taken to tackle the hill-cutting problem in greater Guwahati and surrounding areas.The bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N Unni Krishnan Nair was hearing a petition filed by the North East Eco Development Society last year over the city's flooding issue during the monsoon.Pursuant to the previous direction by the court, the department of housing and urban affairs, through an affidavit, submitted before the court that the work for the preparation of a GIS-based comprehensive drainage master plan and detailed report is in progress.The court noted that it is stated in the affidavit that currently, work related to the topographical survey and detailed inventory of the existing stormwater drain for the preparation of the master plan, in consultation with all the departments concerned, and the preparation of the detailed project report for the Bahini river sub-basin is in progress.Amicus Curiae advocate KN Choudhury submitted before the court that some suggestions were offered by a retired IAS officer, who was the chief executive officer of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).The court said in those suggestions, it is mainly suggested that hill-cutting permission and building permission in the low-lying areas not be issued for at least three years or until effective steps are taken to tackle the flood problem in Guwahati.The court added that it is also suggested that all the reserve forests within greater Guwahati should be made encroachment-free and massive plantation drives should be undertaken by the forest department.Choudhury and advocate general D Saikia highlighted that hill cutting is one of the reasons for the flood problem in Guwahati. It is contended that though the land is required in connection with construction purposes, rampant hill cutting is to be checked and stopped.The court hoped that the suggestions and views offered by the retired IAS officer would be taken into consideration while preparing the master plan.