Govardhan, 2017.03.09 (VT): Violence broke out in Govardhan during an anti-encroachment drive around the sacred hill of Giriraj. The residents of Nagla Sapera pelted stones at the officials during the course of the demolition of the illegal encroachments.
A team of Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA) and the forest department officials had gone to clear the encroachment on a part of Govardhan Parikrama area on Thursday. The National Green Tribunal had earlier ordered to clear the encroachment around the Govardhan Hill.
According to the sources, the police resorted to firing in the air when the situation went out of control as the locals started pelting stones. However the authorities refuted the claim and said that no firing was done, only mild lathicharge was conducted to control the stone pelting mob.
Sub Divisional Magistrate Shri MP Singh said, “The notice was served to the locals several days ahead of the demolition. But instead of vacating the illegally possessed land, the locals indulged in violence.”
“Those, who are in unauthorized possession of the land in the area, are advised to clear it, failing which the houses will be demolished. We have to comply with the orders of the Green Court,” said Shri Vijay Kumar, the Secretary of the Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority.
Meanwhile, local RLD leader Kunvar Narendra Singh questioned the demolition of houses at Nagla Sapera falling under Govardhan Parikrma, claiming the residents have got valid documents. He also demanded compensation and rehabilitation of the people whose houses were demolished.
The NGT is all set to protect the Giriraj Hill in Govardhan. It has been giving direction to the government in time to time to protect the most important natural heritage of Vraja-Vrindavan.
The Green Court had given certain guidelines for the protection of the Giriraj Hill. The demolition of the illegal structures on the Govardhan Parikrama Marg is a significant part for implementing the Green Courts order. The seventeen point guidelines are as follows:
1. A service road of 10 meter wide around Parikrama Marg behind existing houses and ashram and a ring road outside the said service roads may be constructed and all vehicular traffic should be terminated on said service road and Parikrama Marg may be completely closed for any vehicular movement with exception to medial and fire services.
2. Entire Parikrama Marg may be declared as no construction zone to avoid any further encroachment.
3. Interceptors should be constructed and Sewage generated in the area should be diverted to STP. Residents may be directed to take sewage connection. A punitive action may also be recommended against residents for violation / discharge of sewage on roads / water bodies.
4. The areas along the Parikrama Marg which have not been provided with sewerage system should be provided with sewer lines and suitable sewage treatment facility should be provided.
5. Facilities for collection of MSW and its proper disposal should be made for the disposal of MSW where collected MSW may be disposed off as per MSW(Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.
6. At some places, along the Pucca road, natural path between Kacchi Parikrama Marg and Giriraj ji have emerged on its own and are convenient to the pilgrims because shadow of trees save the devotees from scotching sun on such natural paths. Therefore at such places widening of Kacchi Parikrama, which may result in cutting of trees, is not necessary. In view of abandoning of further widening of Kacchi Parikrama Marg, vide office order no. 485/12 C-Agra region/2015, dated 6.2.2015, the remaining forest area diverted for non-forest use shall again be declared as Forest area.
7. The officials have informed the visiting team that widening of Kacchi Parikrama Marg at proposed places will not be done considering the inevitable damage to existing dense plantation in the area and thus no trees will be cut in future.
8. At few water bodies, simple waste water treatment system based on sand / gravel filtration had been provided by the non-government organization / ashram and that treated waste water is used for plantation. Such treatment system can be improved by providing design and construction by the professional Environmental Engineers/ body and subsequently treted waste water can be used for the tree plantation in better way.
9. Condition of roads should be improved.
10. Parking Facilities for the vehicles at suitable places at least 200 mts away from Parikrama Marg are required to be provided.
11. A drive may be carried out for identification of Forest land in accordance with demarcation map and all encroachments may be removed in a time bound manner.
12. A plantation drive may be carried out on forest land situated at Madaur on Gata No. 1673 measuring 2.55 Hectare.
13. That 3.9 hectare of non-forest land may be notified as forest in compliance of Letter no. 8B/UP/68/2013 FC/1180 dated 08.10.2013 in Govardhan area and plantation drive may be carried out in a time bound manner.
14. Any future widening of Kacchi Parikrama Marg may be undertaken only outer side of Parikrama Marg instead of inner side of Kacchi Parikrama Marg (The side of Giriraj Govardhan ji) which not only leads to the diversion of forests land but also involves the cutting of trees.
15. Illegal construction activities / buildings erected next to Giriraj ji along the Parikrama Marg have blocked / obstructed the view to have darshan by the devotees. It is recommended that such illegal construction between Parikrama Marg and Giriraj ji be demolished, so that the pilgrims can have a clear and unobstructed darshan / view of the sacred Giriraj Govardhan.
16. The private land next to Giriraj ji along the Parikrama Marg shall be declared as no construction zone.
17. An independent organization on the lines of other Shrine Board in the country may be constituted for the proper management of this religious place, providing all the required facilities and maintain and upkeep the sanctity of holy places / kunds, cultural heritage, environment protection, sanitation, pollution control, eco-balance of the Green cover which includes kuns, pokhar, talabs, Jhari and related aspects.
The post Stone pelted during the demolition drive to secure the Govardhan Parikrama appeared first on Vrindavan Today.