Remove encroachments from water bodies in the state: NGT to UP

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal Tuesday directed Uttar Pradesh government to remove encroachments in all water bodies in the state within four weeks and also give a list of the lakes, ponds and places in Ghaziabad district which have been encroached upon.

"Respondent 1 (UP) shall take all necessary steps for the purpose of removal of encroachments in all water bodies in the state of UP and such steps shall be initiated effectively in accordance with law within a period of four weeks from today and report the steps taken by the government by the next date of hearing," a bench headed by justices P Jyothimani and M S Nambiar said. The tribunal also directed UP government to stop any construction that is being carried in the water bodies by encroachers and added that the state`s orders shall be scrupulously implemented by the authorities concerned. "The report of steps taken in this regard shall also be informed to this Tribunal by way of affidavit from the responsible officer of the government by the next date," the bench said and listed the case for hearing on March 7. The tribunal, meanwhile, added UP State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC), UP Awas Evam Vikas Parishad (Housing Board) and Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) as parties after it was informed that a few of the alleged encroachments are under the control of these authorities. It was hearing a plea filed by one Sushil Raghav, who has contended that encroachments upon water bodies in his village has reduced the ground water level there. In his plea filed through advocate R Venkata Raman, Raghav has contended that the Supreme Court in 2011 ordered all states and Union territories to to speedily evict all illegal occupants from the common village land, especially the water resources. "Authorities concerned have not taken any action against the illegal occupants of ponds and `piayu` and also further allowed illegal encroachments in other ponds of 46 revenue villages of district Ghaziabad in active connivance with illegal encroachers," the petition has alleged.