southern boundary of Vasant Vihar - members of the National Forum of Non Government Organisation said that the construction carried out in the area is in total violation of the laws laid down by the Master Plan. While the DDA has gone ahead and engaged in senseless constructions, the Army has carried out work under the garb that they aren't answerable to anyone.

And though the Army was informed in great detail about the rules in 1999 that its vast building project of a housing colony was in violation of the law on many counts, they persisted. Now they are doing it again.

According to the members, the `illegal' construction and excessive pumping of ground water for the constructions and for daily use especially by a five star hotel hasresulted in as many as 15-20 water bodies drying up in the area. This despite the fact that the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) prohibits drilling and pumping of ground water as this is a water inadequate region.

Delhi Jal Board figures, clearly indicate that hotels and posh colonies are the worst culprits. The consumption is 220 litres per person per day in houses such as Chankyapuri and Defence Colony.

Also, the report which was moved by the Citizens for the Preservation of the Quarries and Lakes Wilderness (CPOLW), through the Supreme Court's Central Empowerment Committee (CEC), has pointed out that the Ridge and forest areas are unquestionably protected by laws, regardless of ownership.

The DDA's only contribution to protecting the South-Central Ridge has been to plant saplings in a corner