DDA Challenges Wetland Claims in NGT Submission
The Delhi Development Authority has made a significant submission before the National Green Tribunal, firmly denying that a filled-up pond near Wazirabad was ever officially recognized as a wetland. This response comes as the environmental tribunal examines the disappearance of what was reported to be an ecologically active waterbody.
NGT Takes Suo Motu Notice of Environmental Report
The National Green Tribunal initiated proceedings based on a Times of India report published on July 16, 2025, titled 'Find it if you can. Wetland near Wazirabad vanished under inert waste'. The investigative piece highlighted how a functioning wetland with active ecology had been systematically filled using garbage by authorities, prompting the tribunal to seek detailed explanations from concerned agencies.
DDA's Historical Land Acquisition Argument
In its detailed reply submitted on Saturday, the Delhi Development Authority presented historical land records to support its position. The authority revealed that it had acquired two land parcels near Jharoda Majra metro station from the Delhi government's land and building department on February 14, 1983. "Nowhere in the possession proceedings were the subject land parcels declared as 'johad'," stated DDA, using the local term for traditional water harvesting structures.
The authority emphasized that "as far back as 1983, no waterbody existed on the said land parcels" according to official documentation. Furthermore, DDA pointed out that the contested land does not appear in the Delhi Wetland Authority's list of 1,047 notified wetlands, strengthening their argument against its wetland status.
Private Ownership and Revenue Records
Delving deeper into the land's history, DDA referenced communications from the SDM (Model Town) and concerned tehsildar dated December 6, 2025. These officials confirmed that "the land was originally a private property, which was subsequently acquired by the answering respondent." Crucially, they noted that revenue records never identified the area as a 'johad', providing additional documentary evidence against wetland classification.
Nature of Fill Material and Agency Responsibilities
Addressing concerns about the filling process, DDA described using "inert material" obtained after scientific processing and stabilization of municipal solid waste. The authority characterized this material as "residual, non-biodegradable and non-reactive matter" that is "free from organic content and does not generate leachate, odour or any harmful emissions."
Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi informed NGT that while a private concessionaire appointed for landfill flattening was responsible for proper inert material disposal, DDA as the land-owning agency also bore accountability. In a separate 2025 submission, the Central Pollution Control Board shifted monitoring responsibility to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, stating it was DPCC's duty to ensure compliance with solid waste management rules.
Broader Environmental Implications
This case highlights ongoing tensions between urban development and environmental conservation in India's capital. The conflicting narratives between environmental reports documenting active wetland ecology and official denials based on historical records raise important questions about:
- How waterbodies are identified and protected in rapidly urbanizing areas
- The adequacy of wetland notification processes
- Inter-agency coordination on environmental matters
- The use of processed waste in land reclamation projects
As the National Green Tribunal continues its examination, this case may establish important precedents for how similar land-use conflicts are resolved across urban India, particularly in regions facing competing pressures of development and ecological preservation.
