Environmentalists claim court orders to avoid dumping in Rajpur rivers not being followed

Dehradun: Environmentalists and residents in Dehradun's Rajpur have claimed that directives by U'khand high court to stop dumping debris in Rispana and Bindal rivers remain largely ignored. They alleged that construction debris continues to be dumped into the rivers, worsening their condition.Environmentalist Reenu Paul said, "Despite clear directions, compliance was lacking. Debris continued to be dumped in our rivers. The tragedy of Sept last year, which resulted in at least 30 deaths, was a direct result of this lack of compliance." She added that debris from road construction and untreated sewage from nearby settlements had significantly narrowed parts of Rispana, disrupting the river's natural flow and contributing to flooding risks.Residents also claim that while authorities are relocating people from Kathbangla, new settlements continue to emerge along riverbanks behind Canal Road, Dehradun. Advocate Abhijay Negi said the matter remains pending before the court and the alleged non-compliance will be raised again. Meanwhile, officials from Dehradun Municipal Corporation said debris-removal work is ongoing under a new "100 Days: Reviving Our Rivers" mission launched earlier this month. Attempts to reach secretary Nitish Jha for comment were unsuccessful.In March 2025, HC had instructed multiple departments, including the forest, urban development, irrigation and revenue, as well as municipal commissioners overseeing the streams to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The court had also directed DGP to instruct local SHOs to register FIRs against individuals found dumping debris into the water bodies and to submit a compliance report. "By this order, we direct the authorities to undertake expeditious consideration of such matters, as the same is in the larger interest of the public," the court order stated.