NGT asks for action taken report on encroachments on Naini lake

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked for an action taken report from a committee against alleged illegal constructions in the catchment area of Naini lake in Nainital, Uttarakhand.

A bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson asked the committee comprising representatives of the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board (USPCB), the Nainital District Magistrate and the Secretary, Urban Development, to submit the report within two months by email.

The tribunal directed the applicant, NGO Friends, to furnish a set of papers each to the committee and file an affidavit of service within a week. The NGO approached the NGT against alleged illegal constructions around the lake and claimed that such constructions result in landslides, reduce the lake’s capacity and increase soil erosion. It also alleged that constructions are beyond the carrying capacity of Nainital town and as a result of it, the water level of the lake has gone down and recharge of groundwater is also affected.

“Not withstanding this alarming situation, the authorities concerned are allowing big commercial structures, multi-storey group housing buildings, flats, etc. in different parts of the town, flouting directions of the Supreme Court. This violation is still going on at many places in Nainital,” the plea said.

NGO Friends, had approached the NGT against alleged illegal constructions around the lake and claimed that such constructions result in landslides, reduce the lake’s capacity and increase soil erosion. It further alleged that the constructions are beyond the carrying capacity of Nainital town.