The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed the Rajasthan state government and the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) to remove encroachments from Hingonia dam. While hearing a petition concerning the protection of the water body, the tribunal observed that the water resources department, as the custodian of the dam, must ensure that the entire notified area of the reservoir remains protected and free from encroachments.
Directions Issued by the NGT
The tribunal directed the principal secretary of the water resources department to examine the issue and file an affidavit before the next hearing. An official stated that the NGT has listed the matter for final hearing on July 2. The bench, comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi, was hearing a plea filed by Kamlesh Roj.
Discrepancies in Recorded Area
During the proceedings, the counsel for the applicant raised objections over discrepancies in the total recorded area of Hingonia dam. It was claimed that the original area of the reservoir did not match the details mentioned in reports submitted by the district administration. The government and the JDA informed the tribunal that fresh action taken reports had been submitted by the collector and the authority a day earlier.
Counsel appearing for some respondents submitted that details regarding the dam area had already been provided in a report prepared by the concerned sub divisional magistrate. The applicant pressed for interim relief and sought implementation of the Wetland Conservation and Management Rules, 2017.
Supreme Court Directions on Wetlands
The tribunal observed that issues relating to wetlands would be governed by Supreme Court directions concerning wetlands spread over more than 2.25 hectares. The applicant said, "Other issues in the matter will be considered during the final hearing after examining compliance reports filed by the collector and JDA."
The NGT's directive aims to protect Hingonia dam from illegal encroachments and ensure its preservation as a water body. The next hearing on July 2 will review the compliance reports and further address the discrepancies in the recorded area.
