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Delhi

  • 29/06/2002

Delhi On June 7, 2000, the Delhi Jal Board and the Municipal Corporation announcement that they would create 150 ponds for rainwater harvesting. TAPAS, a non-governmental organisation, approached the Delhi High Court on June 22, 2000, to force government authorities to improve water availability and quality in the national capital. It sought restoration of neglected lakes and depressions in the city as well as the implementation of the announcement made by the authorities. On May 31, 2001, the court asked for a joint survey to identify Delhi's waterbodies. It issued notices to the Union ministry of urban development to amend building bylaws and issue fresh notifications on rainwater harvesting. The court directed various government bodies to come up with a plan to relocate those buildings that had encroached on waterbodies.

After the reminders of the survey on July 27 and August 31, the municipal corporation, various government agencies and INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) identified 508 waterbodies in Delhi. On March 8, 2002, the court directed land owning government agencies to protect waterbodies. As demanded by the petitioners, the court also issued notices to the Union ministry of tourism and the Archeological Survey of India to protect historically important waterbodies.

A joint committee was formed on the court's direction recommended that only waterbodies larger than 4,000 sq metres should be protected and the smaller ones should be

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