The report by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), on behalf of the Department of Forests and Wildlife, Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) of the status of encroachment removal from reserve forest land in Southern Ridge in the NCT of Delhi.
Total encroachments identified as on April 5, 2019, were 398.61 hectares. Total encroachment removed from 2019 till date is 91.15 hectares. Some 307.46 hectares of forest land is still under encroachment, as per the report.
Further, the entire area of Khasra no 690/574 in Maidangarhi village is falling in southern Ridge, morphological Ridge and eco-sensitive zone of Asola Bhatti sanctuary, the report dated January 21, 2025 said.
The report stated that there has been a perpetual increase in green cover (forest and tree cover) in Delhi through the concerned efforts of the forest department with all greening agencies. The same has been reflected in India State of Forest Reports (ISFR) of the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
As far as forest/tree protection in NCT of Delhi is concerned, the area of NCT of Delhi has been divided into four territorial forest divisions each headed by Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF). These forest divisions are divided into forest ranges, which are further divided into forest beats.
The jurisdiction of forest divisions, forest ranges and forest beats have been clearly delineated and DCFs, range officers/ deputy range officers and foresters/ forest guards are posted accordingly to protect and preserve the forests and trees of NCT of Delhi in addition to other duties such as scientific management of forest, afforestation, wildlife management and protection.
The central bench of the NGT on January 21, 2025, directed the constitution of a four-member committee to look into the complaint of encroachment in and around the Hingonia Dam, Rajasthan.
The joint committee would comprise of a representative each from the Water Resources Department, Rajasthan; Urban Development and Housing, Rajasthan; CPCB, Rajasthan and Rajasthan Pollution Control Board. The committee has been directed to visit the place and submit the factual and action taken report within six weeks. The case will next be heard on March 5, 2025.
The issue raised in the application is protection of the historical Hingonia Dam from the encroachment of local residences, violating environmental norms and damaging the area of the water body.
The stream to the Hingonia Dam catchment area has been obstructed, and the authorities have failed to address these encroachments despite numerous notices issued by them and protests from local villagers of surrounding areas. The ongoing commercial encroachments, deposition of waste, deforestation are causing halted water supply, with severe ecological and environmental consequences.
People have unlawfully converted the catchment areas of the Hingonia Dam and the area where the Bandi river flows into commercial establishments, such as hotels, societies, car showrooms and private land, violating environmental regulations and contributing to the degradation of water bodies. The commercial waste, leveling up of roads and improper waste management practices pose health risks and further disrupt water flow.
The petition sought directives for the restoration of encroached lands, cessation of illegal constructions, removal of anicuts and roads and removing extra leveling of soil from the catchment area of the dam and the flow area of the Bandi river and remediation of the pollution affecting the Hingonia Dam’s functionality and the surrounding environment.