Residents demand restoration of Noida’s green belt

Noida: The horticulture infrastructure in Noida is in poor shape. Local residents urge the Noida authority to take swift action and improve the situation because pollution and smog have already made life difficult. Meanwhile, Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FONRWA) representatives said they discussed the matter with the Noida authority officials. Several issues, like the deteriorating condition of parks, damaged amenities, and ill-maintained green belts, were raised during the meeting held at the FONRWA office.

One of its members said the Horticulture Department needs to take the matter seriously as residents are waiting for a long time for the restoration of basic amenities. The maintenance of public parks and green belts is an essential part of urban living,” said Yogendra Sharma, president, FONRWA.

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He further said that ‘our parks and green belts play a key role in our health, so their maintenance is essential so that people can walk and get fresh natural air. Residents are peeved due to broken benches, swings, and dried-up grass; currently, these spaces are unsued. We hope that the Noida authority will take some concrete action and restore the greenery and other facilities needed for community well-being,” Sharma added.

Responding to the issues, Vandana Tripathi, additional chief executive officer, Noida authority, said: “The tender process for swings, benches, and dustbins has already been initiated, and we will ensure that these amenities are installed where required,” she said. She also said that pruning activities are temporarily paused due to pollution-related restrictions and National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines, but urgent cases will continue to be addressed.