The National Green Tribunal formed a joint committee on September 28 to inspect Sambhar Lake. The move followed allegations of illegal salt pans, groundwater extraction, and encroachments at the wetland. The committee must submit a report within six weeks. The tribunal will next hear the matter on December 9.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to inspect Sambhar Lake and submit a factual and action-taken following allegations of alleged encroachments, unauthorised salt pans, groundwater extraction and obstruction of natural water inflows at the Ramsar wetland.
Hearing an application filed by Rashid Noor Khan & others against the Union of India & others, the NGT's Central Zone Bench, Bhopal, on September 28 observed that a substantial issue has been raised. It issued notices to the respondents, directing them to file their replies within six weeks. The matter will next be heard on December 9.
The applicant alleged that illegal salt pans had been constructed within the lake boundaries and that land recorded as lakebed, or 'Samand', had been encroached upon. It also alleged that brine and groundwater were being extracted through thousands of borewells installed within the wetland, using heavy machinery, pipelines and other unauthorised infrastructure.
According to the application as mentioned in the order, these activities were depleting groundwater, altering salinity levels and affecting the lake's natural hydrological regime. It further alleged that feeder streams were being obstructed or diverted through illegal bunds, anicuts and irrigation practices in the catchment area, reducing the flow of rainwater into the lake.
The application claimed that excessive groundwater extraction, reduced inflows and high evaporation had together contributed to the shrinking of the lake, increased hypersalinity and deterioration of water quality.
Taking note of the lake's ecological significance, the tribunal observed that Sambhar is India's largest inland saline wetland and an important habitat for migratory birds, including flamingos. It said the lake's ecological character depends on a delicate balance involving river inflows, groundwater, evaporation and salinity.
The joint committee will comprise representatives of the Jaipur district collector, State Wetland Authority Rajasthan, Central Pollution Control Board and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. The committee has been directed to visit the site and submit its report within six weeks, with the state pollution control board designated as the nodal agency.