Years after the Patna high court ordered the removal of encroachments from the Falgu river and restoration of its original condition, the long-delayed exercise is finally set to begin in Gaya. The district administration had earlier identified nearly 900 permanent encroachments along both banks of the river. Although several attempts were made to remove them, the drive failed to make progress due to political interference.
Administrative Decision and Timeline
Gaya municipal commissioner Abhishek Palasia said the decision was taken at a meeting chaired by divisional commissioner Safina A N. He stated that the exercise would be carried out in phases, with the first phase likely to begin in June. Sources in the administration revealed that the proposed Rs 2,390 crore Vishnupad Corridor project has added urgency to the drive. Removal of encroachments is considered essential for beautification and improving access to the area.
Environmental Concerns
However, environmental activists argue that clearing encroachments alone will not be enough to revive the river. Brajnandan Pathak, an RTI activist and organiser of the Falgu Maha Arti, said, “Encroachment removal alone was not enough to salvage the river and make the city more eco friendly.” He highlighted that indiscriminate sand mining and soil erosion have reduced the riverbed’s porosity, affecting underground water storage and groundwater recharge. Geologists believe the Falgu has a natural bowl-shaped subsurface water storage system, making conservation of the riverbed crucial for Gaya’s water security.
Pathak pointed out that a team of experts led by the late S N Chakhaiyyar, former head of the PG botany department at Magadh University, had recommended a complete ban on sand mining between Bodh Gaya and Bitho village to protect the river’s natural water-retention capacity. When asked about this recommendation, Palasia said decisions on sand mining fall outside the jurisdiction of the Gaya Municipal Corporation and can only be taken by the government.
Broader Environmental Challenges
Observers note that sand mining, encroachment, and dumping of solid waste have emerged as major environmental challenges for Gaya. While the encroachment removal drive is a positive step, activists stress the need for comprehensive measures to address all threats to the river’s health.
