Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding encroachment in and around Hingonia Dam, Rajasthan, 21/01/2025
Order of National Green Tribunal (Central Zone Bench, Bhopal) in the matter of Kamlesh Roj Vs State of Rajasthan & Others dated 21/01/2025.
The issue raised in the application are protection of historical Hingonia Dam from the encroachment from the local residence violating the environmental norms and damaging the area of the water body. The Hingonia Dam receives its water from multiple sources, including the Kalakh Dam Feeder located in Phulera, Jaipur Rural through Bandi river, Sardiya Nadi along with several other smaller feeders that contribute water to the Hingonia Dam.
The Bandi river feeder, the primary source, has been severely impacted by encroachments, which ultimately effecting catchment area of Dam as well flowing area of Bandi river at large which is disrupting water flow and adversely affecting local agriculture. The low level and high level Bookni canals has similarly faced encroachments due to which canal banks got damaged, leading to significant environmental degradation. The stream to the Hingonia Dam catchment area has been obstructed, and the respondent authorities have failed to address these encroachments despite numerous notices issued by them and protests from local villagers of surrounding areas. The ongoing commercial encroachments, deposition of waste, deforestation are causing halted water supply, with severe ecological and environmental consequences.
Respondents have unlawfully converted catchment areas of Hingonia Dam and flowing area of Bandi river into commercial uses, such as hotels, societies, car showrooms, private land violating environmental regulations and contributing to the degradation of water bodies. The commercial waste, road concerts, leveling up of roads and improper waste management practices pose health risks and further disrupts water flow.
The petition sought directives for the restoration of encroached lands, cessation of illegal constructions, removal of anicuts and roads and removing extra leveling of soil from the catchment area of Dam and flowing area of Bandi River and remediation of the pollution affecting the Hingonia Dam's functionality and. surrounding environment.
The NGT directed the constitution of a joint committee consisting of a representative each from Water Resource Department, Rajasthan; Urban Development and Housing, Rajasthan; CPCB, Rajasthan and Rajasthan Pollution Control Board. The committee has been directed to visit the place and submit the factual and action taken report within six weeks. The case will be next heard on March 5, 2025.