SC Issues Notice To Centre On Illegal Riverbed Constructions

The Supreme Court on Monday has sought responses from the Central Government and various ministries regarding a petition addressing unauthorized constructions and encroachments on riverbeds, floodplains, and catchment areas across India.

A bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Central Water Commission, and the Central Pollution Control Board, requesting their replies within three weeks.

Advocate Akash Vashishtha, representing the petitioner, highlighted the alarming rise in illegal constructions and encroachments on floodplains and river catchments, which he described as a major cause of environmental devastation in the country.

The plea was filed by former IPS officer Dr. Ashok Kumar Raghav, who is seeking court orders to demolish unauthorized constructions and restore riverbeds, floodplains, and catchments to their original states.

It also calls for the immediate notification of the 2015 draft River Conservation Zone (RCZ) Regulation and the demarcation of floodplains for all rivers and water channels within a three-month timeframe.

The proposed River Regulation Zones notification aims to establish RCZs to prevent encroachments on these critical areas. The petition references a report by the Niti Aayog, which indicates that India is facing its most severe water crisis in history.

According to a statement from the Minister of State for Jal Shakti in Lok Sabha on March 23 last year, per capita water availability in the country is rapidly decreasing due to population growth.

The writ petition seeks the Supreme Court’s intervention to provide legal protection to all rivers, including their tributaries, as well as associated water courses, channels, floodplains, and catchments.

The aim is to ensure water and ecological security for the citizens of India and to expedite the notification of the River Conservation Zone (RCZ) without further delay.

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