Judgement of the National Green Tribunal regarding a proposed dam on river Parwan affecting 1835 hectares forest land, Jhalawar District, Rajasthan, 19/07/2017
Judgement of the National Green Tribunal (Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal) in the matter of Tejpal & Others Vs Government of Rajasthan & Others dated 19/07/2017 regarding a dam which is being proposed to be built in Akawad village, Jhalawar District on river Parwan, which involves at least 1835 hectares forest land affecting more than 2 lakhs trees and also that the dam site is in Naharia block of Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary. It has further been alleged by the Applicant that this dam is in fact being constructed not for the irrigation purpose but for providing fresh water to a number of Thermal Power Plants in the area. The Applicant had also submitted that the dam is going to be constructed without prior Forest Clearance (FC) and clearance from NBWL.
The Tribunal expressed its satisfaction with the Wildlife, Environmental and Forest Clearance granted by MoEF as well as the various other clearances by the Ministry of Water Resources which the Court found to be in accordance with law. NGT directs the State Water Resources or any other department charged with the responsibility of the maintaining dam and flow of water in the river to ensure that downstream of the dam e-flow is maintained in Parwan river at all times so that there is no adverse impact on the aquatic life and also on the wild animals that may be traditionally using this river for drinking purposes.