India, June 6 -- A 7.5-acre plot in south Delhi's Saidulajab is not listed as 'forest land' in official revenue records, the Delhi forest and wildlife department has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT), but added that a ground verification will be carried out to determine whether the buildings there amount to encroachment.

The submission was made in response to a 2023 petition filed before the NGT by a local resident, who alleged that a forest area measuring 12 bighas and 7 biswas (approximately 7.5 acres) had been illegally occupied and developed into a commercial market. The tribunal had disposed of the case in September last year, directing the deputy conservator of forests (south) to take appropriate action.

In an update submitte...