Noida: A bonfire of dried leaves, twigs and tree branches continues to rage on a stretch leading up to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS), a few steps away from its entrance at the Noida end, despite a standing ban on leaf burning imposed by the National Green Tribunal.
The fire is steadily spreading on the horticultural waste lying on the kilometre-long stretch, with no one to care a fig for the lasting damage the smoke is doing to the environment. The green waste is set on fire periodically.
The burning of horticultural waste in the area, which is part of the eco-sensitive zone of the OBS, is now a routine affair.
Officers and forest guards stationed at the sanctuary told TOI that the horticultural waste was being set on fire by Noida Authority workers themselves. The waste is dumped in the area for some days and then someone turns up one fine day and sets it on fire, an OBS official said.
Strangely enough, the Noida Authority's horticulture department feigned ignorance about dumping of waste or the burning. "The side of the road where the waste is burning is not under our jurisdiction, we can't say who is burning the leaves there," Om Bir Singh, director, horticulture, said.
"The Noida Authority has repeatedly been advised to not burn horticultural waste in the city. We have told them many times too, especially with the NGT regulations in place, it is a serious violation of the rules. I shall ask them to stop this immediately," B B Awasthi, regional officer, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, said.
Burning of crop stubble and horticultural waste is a major cause of high air pollution level in the NCR during winter months.
