NGT bans illegal construction around ponds in Bihar's Darbhanga district

NGT bans illegal construction around ponds in Bihar's Darbhanga district

The matter will be heard on 10 January 2023

The Eastern Zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a blanket ban on all kinds of illegal construction around three ponds - Harahi, Dighi and Ganga Sagar in Mithila, situated in Darbhanga, Bihar.

The bench, headed by Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Dr Afroz Ahmad (judicial member) issued directions to constitute a committee to look into the matter.

The petition was filed by Talab Bachao Abhiyan (TBA), an outfit actively engaged in the conservation and protection of the ponds.

TBA had raised a concern that untreated sewage and wastewater were being discharged through drainage by Darbhanga junction and municipal corporation directly into Dighi pond. Due to this, the flora and fauna of the pond were severely affected. Also, the animal carcass was being dumped on the banks of the pond.

Kamlesh Kumar Mishra, the TBA official stated, "To suggest measures, Darbhanga District Magistrate, Municipal Commissioner, Samastipur Railway Division, an official of the State Pollution Control Board and member secretary of the State Wetland Authority will be inducted into the committee."

Earlier, the curator of Chandradhari Museum had apprised the railway authorities to stop the discharge of untreated wastewater into Dighi. People visiting the museum had earlier lodged a complaint regarding a strong stench emanating from the pond.

Narayan Jee Choudhary, the petitioner and TBA convenor said, "The three ponds that exist in a linear position were interconnected to each other and considered an engineering marvel. However, owing to complete neglect and continuous damage caused due to encroachment and illegal dumping of garbage and sewage into these ponds, its condition has worsened."

An interim application filed by TBA had prayed before NGT to pass an order imposing an ad interim fine of Rs.30 crore on the railway ministry and Samastipur DRM for discharging untreated sewage and wastewater from Darbhanga station into Dighi pond and immediately stop it.

However, the judge maintained that in the absence of an alternate plan, the railways and municipal authorities be allowed to submit counter-affidavits and present remedial measures within a timeframe.