JAIPUR: A divisional bench of Rajasthan High Court (HC) directed the state government to remove all the encroachments from pasture land and water bodies in villages and sought a compliance report in three weeks.
The bench comprising of Justice MN Bhandari and Justice BL Sharma gave its direction while hearing suo motu petition on the revival of Ramgarh Dam.
The bench said that the Chief Minister of Rajasthan is expected to prepare a project aiming at checking deforestation, illegal mining and recharging of catchment areas.
The HC said that no effective measures were taken by the state government to remove encroachments from catchment areas of water bodies. “Rajasthan has the biggest area in the country and no compliance of court orders is seen. The state government needs to consider the matter of illegal mining and encroachment near catchment area seriously”, the HC added.
People were asked to refrain from approaching revenue court and subordinate court if they find any discrepancies in upkeep of water bodies but has allowed them to approach the HC.