National Green Tribunal
Soban Singh Rana vs Roshan Lal Uniyal on 11 July, 2024
Item No. 06 Court No. 2
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 494/2022
Soban Singh Rana Applicant
Versus
Roshan Lal Uniyal Respondent
Date of hearing: 11.07.2024
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR AGARWAL JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, EXPERT MEMBER
Applicant: None
Respondent: Mr. Deepak Bora, Advocate for Respondent No. 1 & 3.
Mr. Mukesh Verma, Advocate for Respondent No. 2.
Mr. Nitin Singh Advocate for Respondent No. 4 (through VC)
Mr. GI. GI. C. George and Mr. Ishwer Singh, Advocates for
Respondent No. 6.
ORDER
1. This original application was registered taking cognizance of a complaint made vide letter dated 01.05.2022 by Soban Singh Rana that near Kachdu Devta Temple part of Gangotri Road there is dumping of debris on land measuring about 2000 square meters, just at the distance of about 50 meters from river Ganga, causing environmental pollution by obstructing the river course in future.
2. Tribunal took cognizance of matter on 18.07.2022. In order to collect factual information it constituted a Joint Committee comprising Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Government of Uttarakhand, State PCB and District Magistrate, Uttarkashi. 1
3. The Joint Committee submitted report, filed vide email dated 31.10.2024, which confirms the complaint. It is stated that debris has been dumped just at a distance of 63 mtrs from the river which is a threat to smooth flow of river. Detailed observations of Joint Committee constituted by Tribunal, read as under:-
"1. डम्पिंग स्थल जनपद उत्तरकाशी मुख्यालय से 15 कक०मी० तहसील डु ण्डा से 1.5 कक०मी० कनकट कचडू दे वता मम्िर, महाकषि आश्रम के कनकट डाउनकहत में अवम्स्थत है। राजस्व उपकनरीक्षक द्वारा अवगत कराया गया कक प्रश्नगत स्थल कनजी नाप भूकम है, डम्पिंग स्थल तहसील दु ण्डा क्षेत्रान्तगित खसरा सिंख्या-718 कुल रकवा 0.160 है० कनजी नाप भूकम श्री रोशन लाल उकनयाल पुत्र श्री काशीराम के नाम राजस्व अकभलेखोिं में दजि है। प्रश्नगत् स्थल पर कनमािण कायि के तहत कटान से उत्सकजित मलवा एककत्रत कर डप ककया गया है।
2. डम्पिंग स्थल के मध्य भाग की भौगोकलक अवम्स्थकत 30°43′14.68″N 78°21′36.90%E व लगभग MSL (Mean Sea Level) से लगभग 950 मीटर की ऊँचाई पर अवम्स्थत है। सिंयुक्त दल के द्वारा मौके पर मलवा डिं म्पिंग स्थल पर नपाई करने पर पररक्षेत्र की लम्बाई 48.0 मीटर, चौडाई 41.0 मीटर एविं ढलान के अनुरूप ऊँचाई 26.0 मीटर मापी गयी है। इस प्रकार उर्ध्ािधर ऊँचाई लगभग 17 मीटर आगकणत होती है। नदी तल एविं डम्पिंग क्षेत्र के मध्य म्स्थत 63 मीटर दू री का स्थल एक समतल भूकम का भाग है। कजसका सामान्य ढाल 10° से न्यून है। नदी के ककनारे डिं म्पग क्षेत्र के आधे भाग के मध्य महाकषि आश्रम के कवकभन्न भवन भी बने हैं, जो डम्पिंग क्षेत्र के मलवे के प्रवाकहत होने के अवरोधक का कायि करें गे। डिं म्पिंग स्थल पर डप ककये गये मलवे से नदी के समीपस्थ ककनारे से दू री 63.0 मीटर मापी गयी है । प्रश्नगत स्थल पर मलवा, कजसमें मुख्यतः कटान से उत्सकजित कमट्टी में छोटे आकार के बोल्डसि 30 प्रकतशत व कमट्टी 70 प्रकतशत कमकश्रत अवस्था में कवद्यमान है। डम्पिंग स्थल के नीचे डाउनकहत में समीप म्स्थत भवनोिं एविं तदोपरान्त नदी के सुरक्षा के दृकिगत वायर ब्रेट दीवार का कायि कनमािणाधीन है। डम्पिंग स्थल के पूरब कदशा में महाकषि आश्रम के कवकभन्न भवन आकद व तदोपरान्त भागीरथी नदी, पकिम कदशा में गिंगोत्री रािरीय राजमागि 34. उत्तर कदशा में बिंजर भूकम एविं दकक्षण कदशा में नाप खेत अवम्स्थत है। प्रश्नगत् स्थल पर वायब्रेट एविं उपरी सतह पर बोल्डसि जमा ककये पाये गये, कजनका मापन करने के उपरान्त कुल 1650 टन आगकणत हुआ है।
3. नदी में ककसी भी प्रकार का मलवा/कमट्टी प्रवाकहत नहीिं ककया जा रहा है।
4. उक्त प्रकरण गिंगोत्री रािरीय राजमागि के ककनारे मलवे / कमट्टी डिं म्पिंग से सम्बम्ित है। डिं म्पिंग ककये गये स्थान की कनकटतम आरकक्षत वन की सीमा (डु ण्डा कक्ष सिं0-1) से दू री लगभग 250 मीटर है, कजस कारण उक्त डिं म्पिंग क्षेत्र आरकक्षत वन के अन्तगित नहीिं आता है। सकमकत के सदस्ोिं के द्वारा 2 स्थलीय कनरीक्षण के उपरान्त सामूकहक रूप से कनम्नकलम्खत कनष्कषि प्राप्त हुऐिं हैं।
1. प्रश्नगत् डम्पिंग जोन भागीरथी नदी से 63 मीटर की दू री पर अवम्स्थत है, डम्पिंग जोन नदी के मध्य अवम्स्थत 63 मीटर का क्षेत्र एक समतल भू-भाग है। अतः डम्पिंग क्षेत्र में जमा ककये गये मलवे, कजसकी कुल ऊर्ध्ाि धर ऊँचाई लगभग 17 मीटर आगकणत है। डम्पिंग मलवा कनरीक्षण के दौरान नदी में कनस्ताररत होता नहीिं पाया गया।
2. प्रश्नगत स्थल पर जो एक कनजी भूकम का भू-भाग है, में डम्पिंग ककये जाने से पूवि कोई पूवािनुमकत प्राप्त नहीिं की गयी है।
3. डम्पिंग जोन नारिं गी श्रेणी के अन्तगित आच्छाकदत है , कजस हेतु पृथक से जल/वायु अकधकनयम के अन्तगित सहमकत प्राप्त नहीिं की गयी है। अग्रत्तर क्षेत्रीय कायाि लय, दे हरादू न द्वारा अपने पत्र-यूकेपीसीबी / आर.ओ.डी./एन.जी.टी./58/2022- 23/3022 कदनािंक 21.10. 2022 द्वारा स्पि ककया गया कक राज्य प्रदू षण कनयिंत्रण बोडि द्वारा गैर औद्योकगक श्रेणी में कचम्ित प्रकियाओिं के वगीकरण में Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Processing Plant को नारिं गी श्रेणी में वगीकृत ककया गया है, एविं डम्पिंग जोन ककसी भी श्रेणी में वगीकृत नहीिं है।"
English translation by Tribunal:
"
1. The dumping site is located in downhill near Kachdu Devta Temple, Maharshi Ashram, 15 km from District Uttarkashi Headquarter, 1.5 km from Tehsil Dunda. The Revenue Sub-Inspector informed that the site in question is private measured land, the dumping site is under Tehsil Dunda area, Khasra number-718, total area 0.160 hectares, the private measured land is registered in the revenue records in the name of Shri Roshan Lal Uniyal s/o Shri Kashiram. The debris emitted in the excavation under construction work has been collected and dumped at the site in question.
2. The geographical location of the central part of the dumping site is 30°43'14.68"N 78°21'36.90"E and is approximately 950 meters above the MSL (Mean Sea Level). On the spot measurement of the debris dumping site by the joint team, the length of the area was measured to be 48.0 meters, width 41.0 meters and height 26.0 meters as per the slope. Thus, the vertical height is estimated to be approximately 17 meters. The 63 meter long site situated between the river bed and the dumping area is a part of a flat land. Its general slope is less than 10°. Various buildings of Maharishi Ashram have also been built in the middle of half of the dumping area on the river bank, which will act as a barrier to the flow of debris from the dumping area. The debris dumped at the dumping site has a 3 distance of 63.0 meters from the nearest bank of the river. The debris at the site in question, which mainly consists of 30% small sized boulders and 70% soil mixed with soil generated from erosion, is present. In order to protect the buildings located downstream of the dumping site and safety of the river, wire-brick wall work is under construction. Various buildings of Maharishi Ashram etc. are located to the east of the dumping site and then Bhagirathi river, Gangotri National Highway 34 to the west, barren land to the north and measured fields to the south are located. Boulders were found deposited on the vibrator and upper surface at the site in question, which after measuring were estimated to be 1650 tonnes.
3. No debris/soil of any kind is being released into the river.
4. The above case is related to the dumping of debris/soil along the Gangotri National Highway. The distance of the dumped place from the nearest reserved forest boundary (Dunda compartment no.
1) is about 250 meters, due to which the said dumping area does not fall under the reserved forest. The following conclusions have been collectively received after the field inspection by the members of the committee:
1. The dumping zone in question is located at a distance of 63 meters from the Bhagirathi river. The area of 63 meters situated in the middle of the river in the dumping zone is a flat land.
Hence, the debris deposited in the dumping area, whose total vertical height is estimated to be about 17 meters. The dumped debris was not found to be discharging into the river during inspection.
2. No prior permission has been obtained before dumping at the site in question which is a private land.
3. The dumping zone is covered under the orange category, for which separate consent has not been obtained under the Water/Air Act. Further, the Regional Office, Dehradun clarified in its letter-UKPCB/ROD/NGT/58/2022-23/3022 dated 21.10.2022 that in the classification of processes identified in the non-industrial category by the State Pollution Control Board, Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Processing Plant has been classified in the orange category, and the dumping zone is not classified under any category."
4. The Joint Committee report also included certain observations of the another joint committee constituted by District Magistrate, Uttarkashi which are as under:-
4
"प्रश्नगत डम्पिंग स्थल जनपद उत्तरकाशी मुख्यालय से 15 कक०मी० तहसील डु ण्डा से 1.5 कक०मी० कनकट कच्चडू दे वता मम्िर, महकषि आश्रम के कनकट डाउनकहल में अवम्स्थत है, राजस्व उपकनरीक्षक द्वारा अवगत कराया गया है कक प्रश्नगत स्थल कनजी नाप भूकम है डम्पिंग स्थल तहसील डु ण्डा क्षेत्रान्तगित खसरा सिं0 718 कुल रक्वा 0.160 है0 कनजी नाप भूकम श्री रोशन लाल उकनयाल पुत्र श्री काशीराम के नाम राजस्व अकभलेखोिं में दजि है प्रश्नगत स्थल पर कनमािण कायि के तहत पहाड कटान से उत्सकजित मलवा एककत्रत कर डप ककया गया है।
खनन कवभाग स्थल का सामान्य कववरण :-
प्रश्नगत डम्पिंग स्थल के मध्य भाग की भौगोकलक अवम्स्थकत 30°43′14.68"N 78°21′36.90″E व लगभग elevation msl (mean sea level) से 950m की ऊँचाई पर अवम्स्थत है सिंयुक्त दल के द्वारा मौके पर मलवा डम्पिंग स्थल पर नपाई करने पर पररक्षेत्र की लम्बाई 48.0 मीटर, चौडाई 41.0 मीटर एविं ढलान के अनुरूप ऊँचाई 26.0 मीटर मापी गई है इस प्रकार उर्ध्ािधर ऊँचाई लगभग 17 मीटर आगकणत होती है । नदी तल एविं डम्पिंग क्षेत्र के मध्य म्स्थत 63 मीटर दू री का स्थल एक समतल भूकम का भाग है । कजसका सामान्य ढाल 10° से न्यून है। नदी के ककनारे डम्पिंग क्षेत्र के आधे भाग के मध्य महकषि आश्रम के कवकभन्न भवन भी बने है जो डम्पिंग क्षेत्र के मलवे के प्रवाकहत होने के अवरोधक का कायि करें गे। डम्पिंग स्थल पर डप ककये गये मलवे से नदी के समीपस्थ ककनारे के दू री 63.0 मीटर मापी गयी है प्रश्नगत स्थल पर मलवा कजसमें मुख्यतः कटान से उत्सकजित कमट्टी में छोटे आकार के बोल्डसि 30 प्रकतशत व कमट्टी 70 प्रकतशत कमकश्रत अवस्था में कवधयमान है। 'डम्पिंग स्थल के नीचे डाउनकहल में समीप म्स्थत भवनोिं एविं तदोपरान्त नदी के सुरक्षा के दृकिगत वायर ब्रेट कदवार का कायि कनमािणाधीन दृकिगोचररत हुआ है डम्पिंग स्थल के पूरव कदशा में महकषि आश्रम के कवकभन्न भवन आकद व तदोपरान्त भागीरथी नदी, पकिम कदशा में गिंगोत्री रािरीय राजमागि 34, उत्तर कदशा में बिंजर भूकम एविं दकक्षण कदशा में नाप खेत अवम्स्थत है। प्रश्नगत स्थल पर वायरग्रेट एविं उपरी सतह पर बोल्डसि जमा ककये पाये कजनका मापन करने के उपरान्त कुल 1650 टन आगकणत हुआ है। कजस के सम्बि में सिंगत प्राकवधानोिं के अन्तगित कायिवाही की जा रही है।
पयािवरण कवशेषज्ञ :-
सैणी नामक तोक कनकट कचडू दे वता मिंकदर (गिंगोत्री रािरीय राजमागि) के ककनारे श्री रोशन लाल उकनयाल पुत्र श्री काशीराम उकनयाल ग्राम सैणी कवकासखण्ड डु ण्डा जनपद उत्तरकाशी द्वारा 2000 वगि मीटर पर जो डम्पिंग ककया जा रहा है वह गिंगा नदी के लगभग 63 मीटर दू र है तथा उनके द्वारा नदी में ककसी भी प्रकार का मलवा/कमट्टी प्रवाकहत नहीिं ककया जा रहा है तथा ना ही नदी के पयािवरण को कोई क्षकत पहुिंच रही है। श्री उकनयाल द्वारा उक्त डम्पिंग क्षेत्र में नदी की तरफ से सुरक्षा दीवार का कायि भी कनमािणाधीन है। अतः कशकायतकताि द्वारा नदी में पयािवरण प्रदू षण व नदी को रोके जाने की जो कशकायत की गई है वह जािंच में सही नहीिं पाई गई है।
कसिंचाई कवभागः -
कसिंचाई कवभाग के सहायक अकभयन्ता एविं अवर अकभयन्ता के द्वारा मौके पर डम्पिंग जोन का मलवा नदी के बहावह से 63 मीटर की दू री पर पाई गई साथ में यह भी पाया गया है 5 कक डम्पिंग जोन नाप भूकम में बना हुआ है जो श्री रोशन लाल उकनयाल पुत्र श्री काशीराम उकनयाल की पाई गई वन कवभागः -
5 उपरोक्त कवषयक सिंदकभित पत्र के िम में प्रश्नगत स्थल गिंगोत्री मागि में सैणी नाम स्थल का कनरीक्षण उप प्रभागीय वनाकधकारी, धरासू, वन क्षेत्राकधकारी, डु ण्डा रें ज से कराया गया उक्त प्रकरण गिंगोत्री रािरीय राजमागि के ककनारे मलवे / कमट्टी डम्पिंग से सम्बम्ित है। डम्पिंग ककये गये स्थान की कनकटतम आरकक्षत वन की सीमा (डु ण्डा कक्ष सिं0-1) से दू री लगभग 250 मी० है कजस कारण उक्त डम्पिंग क्षेत्र आरकक्षत वन के अन्तगित नहीिं आता है । सकमकत के सदस्ोिं के द्वारा स्थलीय कनरीक्षण के उपरान्त सामूकहक रूप से कनम्नकलम्खत कनष्कसि प्राप्त हुये हैं ।
1. प्रश्नगत डम्पिंग भागीरथी नदी से 63 मी० दू री पर अवम्स्थत है, डम्पिंग जोन एविं नदी के मध्य अवम्स्थत 63 मी० का क्षेत्र एक समतल भू भाग है अतः डम्पिंग क्षेत्र में जमा ककये गये मलवे कजसकी कुल उर्ध्ाि धर ऊँचाई लगभग 17 मीटर आगकणत है। डम्पिंग मलवे के नदी में जाकर नदी जल को प्रदू कषत करने की सम्भावना नहीिं है।
2. प्रश्नगत स्थल पर जो एक कनजी भूकम का भूभाग है, में डम्पिंग ककये जाने से पूवि कोई पूवािनुमकत प्राप्त नहीिं की गई है। कबना पूवािनुमकत के भूकम के स्वरूप में पररवतिन ककये जाने के उददे श्य से मलवा डम्पिंग कराये जाने एविं अवैध रूप में एकत्र ककये गये बोल्डसि के सम्बि में कनयमानुसार कायिवाही पृथक से की जा रही है।"
English Translation by Tribunal:
"The dumping site in question is located in downhill near Kachdu Devta Temple, Maharshi Ashram, 15 km from District Uttarkashi Headquarter, 1.5 km from Tehsil Dunda. The Revenue Sub- Inspector informed that the site in question is private measured land, the dumping site is under Tehsil Dunda area, Khasra number-718, total area 0.160 hectares, the private measured land is registered in the revenue records in the name of Shri Roshan Lal Uniyal s/o Shri Kashiram. The debris emitted in the excavation under construction work has been collected and dumped at the site in question.
General description of the mining department site:-
The geographical location of the central part of the dumping site is 30°43'14.68"N 78°21'36.90"E and is approximately 950 meters above the MSL (Mean Sea Level). On the spot measurement of the debris dumping site by the joint team, the length of the area was measured to be 48.0 meters, width 41.0 meters and height 26.0 meters as per the slope. Thus, the vertical height is estimated to be approximately 17 meters. The 63 meter long site situated between the river bed and the dumping area is a part of a flat land. Its general slope is less than 10°. Various buildings of Maharishi Ashram have also been built in the middle of half of the dumping 6 area on the river bank, which will act as a barrier to the flow of debris from the dumping area. The debris dumped at the dumping site has a distance of 63.0 meters from the nearest bank of the river. The debris at the site in question mainly consists of 30% small size boulders and 70% soil mixed with soil excavated from erosion. In order to protect the buildings located downstream of the dumping site and safety of the river, wire-brick wall work is under construction. Various buildings of Maharshi Ashram etc. are located to the east of the dumping site and then Bhagirathi river, Gangotri National Highway 34 to the west, barren land to the north and measured fields to the south are located. Boulders were found deposited on the wire-grate and upper surface at the site in question, which after measuring were estimated to be 1650 tonnes. Action is being taken in respect of the relevant provisions.
Environmental Expert:-
The dumping being done by Shri Roshan Lal Uniyal S/o Shri Kashiram Uniyal, village Saini, Vikaskhand, Hunda, District Uttarkashi, on 2000 square meters near Kachdu Devta Mandir (Gangotri National Highway) on the banks of a place called Saini is approximately 63 meters away from the Ganga river and they are not releasing any kind of debris/soil into the river and no damage being caused to the environment of the river. The construction of a protective wall on the river side is also underway in the said dumping area by Shri Uniyal. Hence, the complaint made by the complainant regarding environmental pollution in the river and blocking of the river has not been found to be correct in the investigation.
Irrigation Department:-
The debris of dumping zone at a distance of 63 meters from the river flow has been spotted by the Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer of Irrigation Department on the spot. It was also found that the dumping zone is built on measured land which belongs to Shri Roshan Lal Uniyal S/o Shri Kashiram Uniyal.
Forest Department:-
5 In continuation of the letter referred above, the place in question, a place named Saini on Gangotri Marg, was inspected by the Sub Divisional Forest Officer, Dharasu, Forest Range Officer, Dunda Range. The said case is related to the dumping of debris/soil on the side of Gangotri National Highway. The distance of the dumped place from the boundary of the nearest reserved forest (Dunda compartment no. 1) is about 250 m, due to which the said dumping area does not fall under the reserved forest.7
The following conclusions have been collectively received after the field inspection by the members of the committee:
1. The dumping zone in question is located at a distance of 63 meters from the Bhagirathi river. The area of 63 meters situated in the middle of the river in the dumping zone is a flat land. Hence, the debris deposited in the dumping area, whose total vertical height is estimated to be about 17 meters. There is no possibility of dumping debris into the river and polluting the river water.
2. No prior permission has been obtained before dumping at the site in question which is a private land. Separate action is being taken as per rules in respect of dumping of debris and boulders collected illegally with the objective of changing the nature of the land without prior permission."
5. The conclusions of Joint Committee are as under:-
"1. प्रश्नगत डम्पिंग भागीरथी नदी से 63 मी० दू री पर अवम्स्थत है , डम्पिंग जोन एविं नदी के मध्य अवम्स्थत 63 मी० का क्षेत्र एक समतल भू भाग है अतः डम्पिंग क्षेत्र में जमा ककये गये मलवे कजसकी कुल उर्ध्ािधर ऊँचाई लगभग 17 मीटर आगकणत है । डम्पिंग मलवे के नदी में जाकर नदी जल को प्रदू कषत करने की सम्भावना नहीिं है।
2. प्रश्नगत स्थल पर जो एक कनजी भूकम का भूभाग है, में डम्पिंग ककये जाने से पूवि कोई पूवािनुमकत प्राप्त नहीिं की गई है। कबना पूवािनुमकत के भूकम के स्वरूप में पररवतिन ककये जाने के उददे श्य से मलवा डम्पिंग कराये जाने एविं अवैध रूप में एकत्र ककये गये बोल्डसि के सम्बि में कनयमानुसार कायिवाही पृथक से की जा रही है।"
English Translation by Tribunal:
"The conclusions of Joint Committee are as under:-
1. The dumping zone in question is located at a distance of 63 meters from the Bhagirathi river. The area of 63 meters situated in the middle of the river in the dumping zone is a flat land.
Hence, the debris deposited in the dumping area, whose total vertical height is estimated to be about 17 meters. There is no possibility of dumping debris into the river and polluting the river water.
2. No prior permission has been obtained before dumping at the site in question which is a private land. Separate action is being taken as per rules in respect of dumping of debris and boulders collected illegally with the objective of changing the nature of the land without prior permission."
8
6. The report was considered by Tribunal on 04.01.2023 and after noticing various violations reported in Joint Committee report, Tribunal impleaded following as respondents:-
(1) the State of Uttarakhand, through Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand;
(2) Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board;
(3) District Magistrate, Uttarkashi and (4) Roshan Lal Uniyal, Village Saini, Block Dunda, District Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
7. Notices were issued to the said respondents giving time to file their responses.
8. Respondent 4 submitted a reply dated 23.02.2024 vide email dated 24.02.2024 stating that he is the owner of Khasra No. 718, area 0.160 hectare, Saunthi, near Kachadu Devata Mandir, Tehsil Dunda, District Uttarkashi, U.K and the property is located on Gangotri National Highway No. 34, recorded as banjar, having big boulders erecting out of land. National Highway Authority of India (hereinafter referred to as 'NHAI') wanted to broaden NH No. 34. Respondent 4 issued No Objection Certificate for dumping of material on the property to facilitate completion of road widening project and secure pre-existing boulders. It is also said that for illegal dumping of debris on the land near river Additional District Magistrate imposed a penalty of Rs. 3,38,897/- upon respondent 4 vide order dated 15.09.2022. Copy of the order is on page 103 which shows that for extraction of boulders which constitutes mining, and that too, conducted illegally, Additional District Magistrate demanded royalty, penalty, etc. The total amount was computed as Rs. 3,38,897/-. It was also stated by respondent 4 that for construction of resort, it has been granted permission by Zila Paanchayat Uttarkashi on 27.07.2022. 9 However, the said activities of development of resort within flood plain zone of River Ganga is clearly prohibited under River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as 'Ganga Rejuvenation Order, 2016') wherein para 6 (3 and 4) duly provides as under:-
"6. Prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries.-
(1) .......
(2) ........
(3) No person shall construct any structure, whether permanent or temporary for residential or commercial or industrial or any other purposes in the River Ganga, Bank of River Ganga or its tributaries or active flood plain area of River Ganga or its tributaries:
Provided that in exceptional circumstances like natural calamities or religious events at traditional locations, temporary structures can be raised after prior permission of the National Mission for Clean Ganga acting through the State Ganga Committee and the District Ganga Committee: Provided further that in case any such construction has been completed, before the commencement of this Order, in the River Bank of River Ganga or its tributaries or active flood plain area of River Ganga or its tributaries, the National Mission for Clean Ganga shall review such constructions so as to examine as to whether such constructions are causing interruption in the continuous flow of water or pollution in River Ganga or its tributaries, and if that be so, it shall cause for removing them.
(4) No person shall do any act or carry on any project or process or activity which, notwithstanding whether such act has been mentioned in this Order or not, has the effect of causing pollution in the River Ganga."
9. In these facts and circumstances, Tribunal found impleadment of NHAI and National Mission for Clean Ganga (hereinafter referred to as 'NMCG') being necessary parties pertinent and impleaded them as respondents 5 and 6. Notices were issued to newly impleaded respondents 5 and 6 vide order 18.12.2023. However, no response was 10 filed by respondents 5 and 6 and they further sought adjournment on 02.04.2024 which was viewed seriously by Tribunal and after recording its reasons in para 5, 6 and 7, demonstrating conduct of respondents 5 and 6 in seeking unnecessary adjournment causing delay and inconvenience to Court proceedings, Tribunal granted one more opportunity to file replies to respondents 5 and 6 subject to payment of Rs. 10,000/-.
10. Pursuant to above order dated 02.04.2024, NMCG, respondent 6, has filed its response dated 10.05.2024 stating that a site inspection was conducted by a team constituted by NMCG on 25.04.2024 and the observations recorded in inspection report submitted by the said team are mentioned in para 10 of the reply of the report, as under:-
"10. The observations in the Inspection Report are as under:
a) During inspection, measurements were done from the bottom of the resort and it has been found that the resort (M/s Hill River View Resort) is 60- meter distance from the edge of the river;
b) During inspection, prima facie of the land on which M/s Hill River View Resort has been constructed, it has been observed that the resort has been developed by dumping of debris. As informed by the BRO and PWD representatives that no dumping of material/debris has been done by them. No NHAI representative was present during the inspection of the site;
c) As informed by the Irrigation Division, Uttarkashi the resort is constructed beyond Red line (25 years flood frequency zone) and yellow line (100 years flood frequency Zone);-
d) As per record made available by the Revenue Officials the resort land is private land registered in the name of Shri Roshan Lal Uniyal, S/o Shri Kashiram and others as nonagricultural land;
e) As informed by the Forest Department representative, the resort land does not come under Forest protection area and the resort is approximately 250 meter away from the forest area; & 11
f) As informed by DRL Zila Panchayat Uttrarkashi representative, the resort map was only approved by the Zila Panchayat The Site Inspection Report is annexed as Annexure-II."
11. Further, respondent 6 has stated in its reply, in para 11, 12 and 13, as under:-
"11. That as regards the permissibility of construction and operation of resort within 63 meters from river Ganga, it is submitted that para 3 (1) of River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection & Management) Authorities Order 2016, says that "flood plain" means such area of River Ganga or its tributaries which comes under water on either side of it due to floods corresponding to its greatest flow or with a flood of frequency once in hundred years.
12. It is also mentionable that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified vide Notification No. G.S.R 445(E) dated 29.03.2016 the "Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Municipal Corporation of Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) and the other State Government authorities including the Uttarakhand, SPCB of the State Government of Uttarakhand are mandated to ensure the compliance of the said rules.
13. That further, it is submitted that as per paragraph 55 of the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, the District Ganga Committee is empowered to identify activities which may be threats in the area of specified District abutting the River Ganga for protection of River Ganga and its tributaries or its River bed and making a plan for remedial action and take remedial action in respect thereof. The District Ganga Committee is also vested with the powers for taking remedial action at its own end for protection of River Ganga and its tributaries or its River bed abutting in the specified District (excluding enforcement of the provisions of this Order)."
12. It is thus evident that though there is clear violation of provisions of Ganga Rejuvenation Order, 2016 but no effective steps have been 12 taken by respondent 6 for removal of such unauthorized and illegal development near River Ganga.
13. Learned counsel appearing for respondent 6 states that action should have been taken by District Ganga Counsel or State Ganga Counsel but could not dispute that at the apex level it is the respondent 6 who is ultimate repository of power and has responsibility of taking all steps for rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga and its tributaries as clearly mentioned para 41 of Ganga Rejuvenation Order, 2016. The functions of respondent 6 are also described in detail in para 39 of Ganga Rejuvenation Order, 2016. Unfortunately, no such power has been exercised by respondent 6 till date and it is a mere silent spectator watching damage to River Ganga and its banks without taking any effective action for its protection. It is really unfortunate state of affairs on the part of respondent 6.
14. Further, respondent 6 has also not complied with order dated 02.04.2024 in as much as cost of Rs. 10,000/- has not been deposited. Instead I.A No. 302/2024 has been filed seeking waiver of said cost.
15. I.A No. 302/2024 is for waiver of cost but having gone through the same, we do not find any satisfactory explanation for showing any leniency towards submitting response to Tribunal. There is no justification for cost to be waived. I.A No. 302/2024 is hereby rejected.
16. Let the cost be deposited within 2 days.
17. Now coming to respondent 5, neither it has filed its response nor deposited cost and even today there is complete defiance on its part. 13
18. In these facts and circumstances, we have no option but to direct Chairman, NHAI to appear in person before Tribunal on the next date to explain as to why for violation of order of this Tribunal criminal prosecution may not be initiated since violation of the order of this Tribunal is an offence under Section 26 of National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
19. Since respondent 5 has also not take any effective steps for protection and rejuvenation of River Ganga and its bank, we have no option but to direct appearance of Director General, NMCG to appear on next date to explain as to why it is simply sitting idle and not taking effective steps and discharging its responsibilities, duties and obligations detailed in Ganga Rejuvenation Order, 2016 for rejuvenation, protection and management of river Ganga and its tributaries.
20. List the matter on 12.08.2024.
Sudhir Agarwal, JM Dr. Afroz Ahmad, EM July 11, 2024 Original Application No. 494/2022 AB 14