The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a crucial directive to the Delhi Wetland Authority (DWA) in a bid to tackle the alarming disappearance of wetlands and water bodies in the national capital. The green court has ordered the creation and distribution of a comprehensive, standardized report format to all land-owning agencies in Delhi.
Addressing the Information Gap on Vanishing Wetlands
The tribunal bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, expressed deep concern over the rapid degradation of Delhi's aquatic ecosystems. The order, dated December 15, 2024, was passed while hearing three combined cases based on media reports, including one from The Times of India titled "10 wetlands in Asola to conserve rainwater" from March 12, 2024.
The NGT noted that the reports submitted by various agencies painted a grim picture, revealing that several water bodies had either vanished, dried up, or been encroached upon. A significant information gap was identified, as complete and uniform data from all authorities was not available to the wetland authority.
What the Standardized Report Must Contain
The NGT's order specifies that the new report format will compel agencies to disclose critical details for every waterbody under their control. The required information includes:
- The total area of each waterbody as per official revenue records.
- Geo-coordinates for precise location mapping.
- The area currently free from encroachment and the extent of encroached land.
- Details on whether the waterbody has dried up.
- Specifics on the number and identities of encroachers.
- An action plan for protecting the waterbody and removing encroachments.
The tribunal has also demanded that authorities reveal if any land belonging to a waterbody was allotted to an individual, authority, or third party, and under what statutory power such allotment was made. Furthermore, the report must include water quality details and information on drains discharging treated or untreated sewage into these vital ecosystems.
Strict Timelines and Action Against Violators
The NGT has directed the Delhi Wetland Authority to not only compile and circulate this format but also to initiate concrete action against those violating wetland protection norms. The authority must submit a detailed action-taken report at least one week before the next hearing. The case has been listed for further proceedings on March 10, 2026.
In a related positive development noted by the tribunal, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has mapped a 4.7-hectare waterbody in Narela following a resident's plea. This waterbody is slated for revival after the removal of existing encroachments.
This directive marks a significant step towards systematic conservation, aiming to bring transparency and accountability to the management of Delhi's fast-disappearing natural water resources.
