Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding deterioration of Nayar river, Uttarakhand, 05/06/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of In Re: News Item titled "Nayar river is vanishing - a yatra reveals conservation goes beyond science and policy" appearing in ‘The Down To Earth’ dated 03.06.2025.
The original application was registered suo-motu based on the news item titled "Nayar river is vanishing - a yatra reveals conservation goes beyond science and policy" appearing in ‘The Down To Earth’ dated 03.06.2025. The news item relates to the degradation of the Nayar River ecosystem in Uttarakhand. As per the article, a comprehensive Nayar River Yatra was conducted from April 21 to 28, 2025, tracing the river from its source to its confluence.
As per the article, the decline of the Nayar River is attributed to multiple factors. For instance, weakened community-forest relationships; neglect of traditional water management systems like khals and chals; abandonment of farmland; top-down government planning models driven by contracts rather than community engagement. Programs such as Har Ghar Nal and Har Ghar Jal focus on extracting water from distant sources but neglect the restoration of local traditional water systems. Currently, over 50 pumping stations operate within the Nayar basin, drawing water but returning only pollution. Additionally, climate change, reduced groundwater recharge, and unchecked urbanisation are accelerating the river's decline.
The DTE article also recommended certain measures like afforestation with native species to address these challenges. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) along with Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board; Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board; G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE); Ministry of Jal Shakti; Uttarakhand Forest Department and ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR) have been asked to submit their reply at least one week before the next date of hearing (August 6, 2025).