Remove encroachments from Hingonia dam: NGT to Raj, JDA

Jaipur: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Wednesday directed the state govt and the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) to remove encroachments from Hingonia dam.

While hearing a petition on the protection of the water body, the NGT observed that the water resources department, being the custodian of the dam, must ensure that the entire notified area of the reservoir remains protected and free from encroachments.

The tribunal directed the principal secretary of the department to examine the issue and file an affidavit before the next hearing.

An official said the NGT has listed the matter for final hearing on July 2.

The matter came up before a bench comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi in connection with a plea filed by Kamlesh Roj. During the proceedings, counsel for the applicant raised objections over discrepancies in the total recorded area of Hingonia dam, claiming that the original area of the reservoir did not match the details mentioned in reports submitted by the district administration.

The govt and the JDA informed the tribunal that fresh action taken reports had been submitted by the collector and the authority a day earlier.

Counsel appearing for some respondents submitted that details regarding the dam area had already been provided in a report prepared by the concerned sub divisional magistrate.

The applicant pressed for interim relief and sought implementation of the Wetland Conservation and Management Rules, 2017.

The tribunal observed that issues relating to wetlands would be governed by Supreme Court directions concerning wetlands spread over more than 2.25 hectares.

The applicant said, “Other issues in the matter will be considered during the final hearing after examining compliance reports filed by the collector and JDA.”