Locals claim Rs 10 being charged for entering graveyard in Asola Sanctuaryminorities panel steps in
New Delhi Feb 22 PTI The Delhi Minorities Commission has issued a restraining order on the forest department after residents of Sangam Vihar in south Delhi claimed they are being asked to pay Rs 10 to enter a graveyard inside the Asola Bhatti Wildlife SanctuaryWhile forest officials did not comment on the issue a source said the entry fee had been imposed in September last year to regulate movement of people in the sanctuary and minimise disturbance to wildlife The entry fee is for the sanctuary and not the graveyard the source saidThe graveyard is located near the wildlife sanctuarys boundary with Sangam Vihar which is the largest unauthorised colony in AsiaAccording to Dula Khan the general secretary of the Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committee the graveyard measures around five hectares and is more than 35 years old Authorities in the past had allowed people to visit it despite it being on forest land he saidThis is the first time that the people from Sangam Vihar and nearby areas are being asked to pay Rs 10 to enter the graveyard he claimedThe minorities commission in its order to the forest department said that a complaint has been filed by the Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committee saying the graveyard is situated inside the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary New Delhi and people are using it for burial purpose for more than 35 yearsFor more than six months an entry charge of Rs 10 per person is being charged in the shape of sanctuary entrance permit by the Department of Forest and Wildlife even from the people who are visiting the qabristan for the purpose of burial and last rites of the deceased According to the deputy conservator of forest concerned an entry fee of Rs 10 is being charged as per the provisions of the Delhi Wildlife Protection Rules 1973 the order statedAs per the notification Delhi Wildlife Protection Rules a fee can be charged only for the purpose of tourism and transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary only the panel notedIt said the people visiting the graveyard for the purpose of burial and last rites of their loved one do not fall in the two categories mentioned in the said notification Till the time a decision is taken on the representation made by the Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committee for not charging entrance fee Deputy Conservator of Forest South Forest Division is hereby restrained from charging entrance fee from the people visiting Sangam Vihar Qabristan for the purpose of burial and performing rites of their loved ones as per rituals it saidThe panel said to keep a check on the entry and to avoid any trespass into the sanctuary an entry pass can be issued without any charge for two to three hours to thosevisiting the graveyardThe Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committee has also been directed to ensure that people enter the graveyard strictly on the basis of an entrance pass issued by the DCF South DivisionTerming it a very sensitive issue panel Chairman Zakir Khan said the commission had summoned DCF South Division in connection with the matter on February17Asked what if the forest department does not comply with the order Khan saud the panel holds the power of a civil court If the forest dept wants a stay they will have to move high court he saidWhen people lose their loved ones they are already going through a lot In such circumstances asking them to pay Rs 10 to enter qabristan is uncalled for he saidThe entry fee should be withdrawn We have told the forest department that action can be taken against people if they enter areas other than the graveyard Khan addedThe forest department has also forwarded the Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committees representation seeking withdrawal of the entry fee to the minister concerned he saidThe commission will hear the matter again on May 10 PTI GVS TDS TDS
New Delhi Feb 22 PTI The Delhi Minorities Commission has issued a restraining order on the forest department after residents of Sangam Vihar in south Delhi claimed they are being asked to pay Rs 10 to enter a graveyard inside the Asola Bhatti Wildlife SanctuaryWhile forest officials did not comment on the issue a source said the entry fee had been imposed in September last year to regulate movement of people in the sanctuary and minimise disturbance to wildlife The entry fee is for the sanctuary and not the graveyard the source saidThe graveyard is located near the wildlife sanctuarys boundary with Sangam Vihar which is the largest unauthorised colony in AsiaAccording to Dula Khan the general secretary of the Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committee the graveyard measures around five hectares and is more than 35 years old Authorities in the past had allowed people to visit it despite it being on forest land he saidThis is the first time that the people from Sangam Vihar and nearby areas are being asked to pay Rs 10 to enter the graveyard he claimedThe minorities commission in its order to the forest department said that a complaint has been filed by the Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committee saying the graveyard is situated inside the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary New Delhi and people are using it for burial purpose for more than 35 yearsFor more than six months an entry charge of Rs 10 per person is being charged in the shape of sanctuary entrance permit by the Department of Forest and Wildlife even from the people who are visiting the qabristan for the purpose of burial and last rites of the deceased According to the deputy conservator of forest concerned an entry fee of Rs 10 is being charged as per the provisions of the Delhi Wildlife Protection Rules 1973 the order statedAs per the notification Delhi Wildlife Protection Rules a fee can be charged only for the purpose of tourism and transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary only the panel notedIt said the people visiting the graveyard for the purpose of burial and last rites of their loved one do not fall in the two categories mentioned in the said notification Till the time a decision is taken on the representation made by the Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committee for not charging entrance fee Deputy Conservator of Forest South Forest Division is hereby restrained from charging entrance fee from the people visiting Sangam Vihar Qabristan for the purpose of burial and performing rites of their loved ones as per rituals it saidThe panel said to keep a check on the entry and to avoid any trespass into the sanctuary an entry pass can be issued without any charge for two to three hours to thosevisiting the graveyardThe Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committee has also been directed to ensure that people enter the graveyard strictly on the basis of an entrance pass issued by the DCF South DivisionTerming it a very sensitive issue panel Chairman Zakir Khan said the commission had summoned DCF South Division in connection with the matter on February17Asked what if the forest department does not comply with the order Khan saud the panel holds the power of a civil court If the forest dept wants a stay they will have to move high court he saidWhen people lose their loved ones they are already going through a lot In such circumstances asking them to pay Rs 10 to enter qabristan is uncalled for he saidThe entry fee should be withdrawn We have told the forest department that action can be taken against people if they enter areas other than the graveyard Khan addedThe forest department has also forwarded the Sangam Vihar Qabristan Committees representation seeking withdrawal of the entry fee to the minister concerned he saidThe commission will hear the matter again on May 10 PTI GVS TDS TDS
