The Uttar Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has stepped in to address serious allegations of environmental degradation affecting the Kila river in Bareilly. Acting on a formal complaint, the commission has directed the district magistrate to submit a comprehensive report detailing the situation.
Complaint Highlights Sewage and Encroachment Issues
Social activist Ravi Sharan Singh Chauhan filed the complaint that spurred the commission into action. He alleged that untreated sewage and dirty water from the municipal body and nearby residential colonies are being directly discharged into the Kila river. This, he contends, constitutes a blatant breach of environmental norms.
Further compounding the problem, the complaint points to widespread illegal encroachments along both banks of the river and even on the riverbed in some sections. These structures are obstructing the natural flow of the waterway.
Human Rights and Health Risks at Stake
The SHRC noted that the matter potentially involves a violation of human rights, as it infringes upon citizens' fundamental right to a clean environment and good health. Chauhan detailed the consequences of the neglect, stating that the river's water-holding capacity has drastically reduced.
This reduction leads to persistent waterlogging, a foul smell permeating the area, and an increased risk of infectious diseases spreading in the surrounding neighbourhoods. The river, which originates within Bareilly city and later joins the Ramganga river system, has suffered from years of neglect according to the activist.
Official Response and Next Steps
The commission's directive to the district magistrate is specific. The sought report must contain information on:
- Points of sewage discharge into the river.
- Identified sources of pollution.
- Details and extent of illegal encroachments.
- Steps already taken by concerned departments to protect and revive the river.
Advocate Gajendra Yadav of the Allahabad High Court, who is associated with the case, provided key procedural dates. The case is officially listed for hearing on February 13, 2026. The district magistrate has been asked to file the detailed report by February 12, 2026.
The SHRC's intervention marks a formal recognition of the environmental and public health crisis linked to the Kila river, pushing for accountability and action from local authorities.
