SC clears Mayawati?s Noida park statue project

Giving its verdict in favour of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, the Supreme Court on Friday said the state government did not violate any environmental laws while installing statues of Dalit leaders at a Noida park.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice S H Kapadia and justices Aftab Alam and K S Radhakrishnan, said the park is ?not a forestland?, and did not violate any environmental norms.

However, the apex court said the project?s proximity to Okhla Bird Sanctuary, only 10 km away, is of concern.

Accordingly, the SC said a three-member committee will be formed to oversee that the ?pucca? (permanent) construction of the project remain restricted to 25% of the total park area.

The construction and installation of statues were halted last year by the Supreme Court while hearing a petition.