The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered an end to all illegal constructions in a 10km radius around the Okhla bird sanctuary in order to protect the existing wildlife.
Activists however believe that one of the biggest dangers to the bird sanctuary and to the residents in that vicinity is the waste incineration based power plant owned by Jindal Infrastr-ucture Ltd. The plant is located 1.7 km from the Okhla bird sanctuary and does not have the requisite environmental clearance from the National Board for Wildlife. Dr U.C. Bahri, scientist with the NGT has written to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on August 16 stating that the “dust from the waste to energy plant was adversely affecting the health of people living around the waste-to-energy plant. We expect strong action against the operator so that people living in that area should not suffer.”
Residents in that area took bags full of burnt toxic ash on August 23 to the CPCB which in turn has confirmed that the plant is emitting hazardous pollutants and heavy metals. Two air samples in March 2013 (on behalf of the residents) by Chennai-based Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives confirmed that the fine particulate levels were found to be at “life threatening levels” and the presence of toxic metal lead was at hazardous levels as per Indian ambient air quality standards according to information supplied by both GAIA and the residents.