"Considering the national importance of the project…”, it may be recommended for approval, the committee underlined.The Supreme court-enabled Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has given a nod to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for setting up its headquarters in South Delhi’s Vasant Vihar falling under the Morphological Ridge, an ecologically sensitive zone.The NDRF had sought the apex court’s permission to get approval for construction activities in the area. A total area of 1.673 acres of land has been allotted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for setting up the headquarters and a budget of Rs 92.64 crore has also been approved.According to a CEC report dated August 25, the site was inspected on August 5. Based on the documents and site observations, the committee found that “not all 37 trees standing on the site require removal or transplantation. Specifically, 12 trees (which have been numbered) need not be disturbed.”Among the remaining trees, it added, 15 will be transplanted within the construction site, and 10 will be felled.The land where compensatory plantation needs to take place has been identified at Ghumanhera village.“Considering the national importance of the project…”, it may be recommended for approval, the commitee underlined.“The project site has a periphery of approximately 400 meters. A green belt shall be developed along the entire periphery with a double-row plantation of about 250 indigenous tree species…Additionally, another 50 indigenous trees shall be planted along the internal roads proposed to be constructed,” read one of the conditions set up by the Committee.Story continues below this adOther conditions include depositing the mandated Ridge Management Board fund, which is 5% of the project cost, proportionate to the area falling within Ridge, permissions need to be obtained before felling or transplantation of trees as per the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. This also needs to be carried out under supervision of the Delhi Forest Department.Compensatory plantation of 10 saplings of indigenous species on non-forest land which are 10-12 feet tall also need to be undertaken for each tree felled, transplanted or pruned.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd