Waterbody goes missing, illegal structures crop up in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The search of a ‘missing’ waterbody in Rajouri Garden, which existed as a ‘Johad’ according to the revenue records of 1951-1952 has led the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Rajouri Garden SDM to many illegal structures. A Johad is a rainwater storage tank mainly used for drinking.

The findings were submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which ordered demolition of all ‘illegal’ structures, including 20 shops, two schools and a temple, and also demarcation of the waterbody.

In its July 10, 2020, order, the NGT said both the Rajouri Garden SDM and DPCC have submitted reports regarding the allegations that a waterbody at Khasra No 30/1 in Titarpur village, and the waterbody was found to be non-existent, despite its existence on paper.
20 shops, two schools on list of buildings to be razed
The SDM and the DPCC filed their respective reports on July 9, 2020, to the effect that the waterbody was found non-existent, but since in the revenue record the waterbody was recorded, the district magistrate has been directed to demolish illegal structures and demarcate the waterbody,” the bench, headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, said.
The tribunal also directed the Delhi Wetland Authority to look into the case and take further action.
According to the reports submitted by the DPCC and the Rajouri Garden SDM, copies of which are with TOI, the common structure identified included 20 shops, a chaupal, a temple and two schools. Photographs have been submitted along with the reports.
Rajouri Garden SDM Ranjeet Kumar Singh said a field report regarding the Khasra was obtained from the tehsildar (Rajouri Garden) after an inspection carried out on July 3 according to revenue records.
The DPCC, in its report, said directions under the environment protection act had already been issued by it. “As per inspection report, there is no waterbody existing in the said Khasra no. 30/1, Village Titarpur, at present. In view of the inspection findings, the DPCC has issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (protection) Act, 1986, to the district magistrate to demarcate the waterbody and demolish illegal structures.”
Delhi-based NGO Centre for Youth Culture Law and Environment (Cycle India) and the Jhuljhuli village RWA in southwest Delhi had recently come up with a ‘health’ scorecard of Delhi’s 1,009 water bodies, according to data from the Delhi Parks and Gardens Society. In an index ranging from 0 to 7, with 7 being the healthiest, no waterbody could get a score higher than 4, with the study identifying at least 179 with ‘encroachment’ on them and 123 with ‘built-up’ areas on top of them.