E-Paper
NGT directs Punjab chief secretary to file compliance report on mapping of Sutlej’s floodplains
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Punjab chief secretary to file a compliance status report on mapping the floodplain zones of Sutlej river in Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts
Prefer HTon Google
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Punjab chief secretary to file a compliance status report on mapping the floodplain zones of Sutlej river in Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts.
The direction came on a petition seeking demarcation of the floodplains of Sutlej river within a stipulated time frame and complete protection of riverbed/floodplains by ordering demolition of illegal encroachments.
The petitioner, Karnvir Thamman, a social activist from Banur, also sought directions to the respondents to pay compensation for damage caused to the riverbed/floodplains due to the illegal encroachments in the 47-km stretch in the two districts.
“With collusion of government officials, a large number of people are cultivating the dry area of Sutlej by illegally occupying it on thousands of acres. Water pump motors have also been installed by boring in the ground of the river for irrigation,” the petition alleged.
“Lack of protection of river floodplains from damaging impacts, such as encroachment and diversion, is a tragedy that affects both the river as well as those who encroach it adversely,” it said, adding, “During monsoon in recent years, heavy rainfall caused the river to surge and spread to the floodplains. Illegal mining and encroachment of riverbeds led to massive flooding in Punjab.”
Sutlej river is intercepted at the Ferozepur headworks. From there, this water is released in the canals going to Rajasthan, thereby leaving the 47-km stretch of river dry, it was submitted.
“There is no doubt that floodplain zone is required to be demarcated and maintained free of encroachments,” said the three-member bench, comprising justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, justice Sudhir Aggarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel.
“The ownership of the issue may now be taken over by the chief secretary, Punjab, who may, having regard to the seriousness of the issue, affecting health and environment, personally monitor progress of compliance at least once a month and also evolve an appropriate administrative mechanism to handle the grim situation,” the bench said.
“We may also note that the river rejuvenation committees (RRCs) headed by environment secretaries in all states/UTs have already been directed to monitor the execution of action plans for the polluted river stretches on a continuous basis. The Punjab RRC may also accordingly monitor the execution of action plans for Sutlej and Beas rivers in continuation of 5th report of the monitoring committee, referred to above, subject to overall oversight of the chief secretary,” it further said.
“The monitoring committee, constituted by this tribunal, first with statutory regulators (like CPCB, State PCB) and later with a former judge of the high court, a former chief secretary of the state and a former member secretary of the state PCB, has functioned for more than two years. Monitoring by the tribunal or the tribunal-appointed committee cannot be a regular feature and is only a last resort for some period. It is finally for the state to take ownership of the subject and take stern measures and evolve effective monitoring mechanism to remedy the situation to give effect to its constitutional obligation to provide clean environment to the citizens and protect natural and scarce environmental resources like water, air and soil for current and future generations. Violators of environmental norms need to be sternly dealt with in the same manner as other criminals threatening the safety of the citizens,” said NGT.
“No encroachment on the river bed will be tolerated while violators will be dealt sternly. We will ensure compliance of the NGT instructions in letter and spirit within stipulated time frame,” said Rajesh Dhiman, deputy commissioner, Ferozepur.
