National Green Tribunal: In a set of two original applications considering the issue of preservation and protection of water bodies in Delhi, Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, directed the Delhi State Wetland Authority to trace and restore vanished waterbodies.
In order dated 14-02-2025, the Tribunal took note of the details of the 1045 listed water bodies and 322 sites identified through satellite and the disclosure that 631 water bodies were prioritised. The respondents were directed to disclose the area with geo-coordinates of each of the water bodies under their management and control as per the revenue record. The Revenue Department was also directed to extend full cooperation to different departments and entities. The Respondents were also directed to disclose the present status and area of the water bodies and the efforts made by them to clear encroachment, if any, existing thereon and restore them to their original position.
The Court noted that the complete details of the area of these water bodies as per the old revenue record and the extent of encroachment thereon were not disclosed. Further, the Court noted that many of the water bodies did not exist now, and this could result in shrinkage and ultimately converting them for other purposes. Hence, they are required to be traced out and restorative measures are required to be taken. Therefore, the Court directed the respondent to file a fresh affidavit giving full details of khasra number, area, geo-coordinates, encroachment and existing status of 1045 listed water bodies and 322 water bodies identified through satellite. The respondent was also required to disclose the steps which have been taken so far for protection and rejuvenation as well as monitoring water quality of each of these water bodies and its time-bound future plan of action to restore them.
The matter was further listed for a hearing on 26-09-2025.
[News Item titled “The curious case of Delhi’s disappearing water bodies” appearing in The Hindu dated 25-04-2024, Original Application No.633/2024, Decided on: 21-05-2025]
