NGT Directs Uttar Pradesh to Restore and Protect Water Bodies in Meerut District

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, the District Magistrate, Meerut, and the Divisional Forest Officer, Meerut, to take immediate, coordinated steps for the identification, demarcation, geotagging, and restoration of all water bodies in the district.

The Tribunal noted that compliance with earlier judicial directions for rejuvenation and protection of ponds and lakes remained unsatisfactory, despite repeated reminders and established legal precedents.

The Bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (Judicial Member) and Dr. Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member) was hearing Original Application No. 929/2024, initiated suo motu by the Tribunal following a letter petition from residents of Village Dawal Jatoli in Meerut.

The petition alleged extensive encroachments, pollution, and neglect of ponds and johads (traditional water bodies) in the district, highlighting the failure of authorities to maintain proper records, boundaries, and water quality.

The Tribunal, acting under its suo motu jurisdiction as recognized by the Supreme Court in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha (2022) 13 SCC 401, had earlier constituted a Joint Committee comprising the District Magistrate, Meerut, the Divisional Forest Officer, and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to submit a factual report on the condition of water bodies.

The report revealed that out of 3,528 ponds across Meerut, 631 were encroached upon, with 570 of them suffering permanent encroachments.

While proceedings had been initiated under Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, and under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, the Tribunal found that the District Magistrate had failed to provide any comprehensive action plan for removal of encroachments, restoration work, or the geotagging and unique identification (UID) of each water body as mandated under previous NGT and Supreme Court orders.

The Bench observed that despite categorical directions in landmark cases; Hinch Lal Tiwari v. Kamla Devi (2001) 6 SCC 496 and Jagpal Singh v. State of Punjab (2011) 11 SCC 396, the condition of ponds in Uttar Pradesh remained alarming. The NGT emphasized that ponds and tanks are “nature’s bounty and public utilities meant for the common good,” and their encroachment directly undermines the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment under Article 21.

Referring to its earlier orders in Lt. Col. Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi v. Union of India & Ors. and Sushil Raghav v. State of U.P., the Tribunal reiterated that States are required to identify, geo-tag, and assign unique IDs to all water bodies, prepare district-level action plans, and monitor progress through a centralized oversight mechanism.

Issuing a fresh set of detailed directions, the Tribunal ordered that;

- The District Magistrate, Meerut, shall ensure the identification, demarcation, and geotagging of all ponds and lakes as per revenue records and assign unique identification numbers (UIDs) where not already done.

- A district-level Action Plan shall be prepared with specific budget allocations, roles of each department, and time-bound targets for removal of encroachments and restoration work.

- The Action Plan must be integrated into the District Environment Plan, and monthly progress reports are to be uploaded on the District Administration’s website and sent to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh.

- The Divisional Forest Officer, Meerut, shall undertake afforestation on the banks and catchment areas of water bodies, in coordination with local panchayats and the District Environment Committee, and file biannual progress reports before the Registrar General of the Tribunal.

- The Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, shall periodically review compliance through meetings with District Magistrates across the State and issue necessary directions to ensure uniform implementation of water body restoration measures.

- The Central Monitoring Committee (CMC) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti shall oversee nationwide compliance on restoration of water bodies and file consolidated reports before the Tribunal.

The Bench underscored that protection of water bodies is an integral part of the public trust doctrine, which obligates the State to act as a trustee of natural resources. It noted that the ecological, hydrological, and social significance of ponds demands active government involvement rather than passive supervision.

The Tribunal observed that neglect of these common resources leads to groundwater depletion, urban flooding, and loss of biodiversity, and that rejuvenation efforts must not remain confined to paperwork.

The NGT also recalled that in Lt. Col. Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi (O.A. 325/2015), the Tribunal had already directed all States and Union Territories to designate a single nodal agency for restoration of water bodies, monitor progress under the Chief Secretaries’ oversight, and submit reports to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The present order, the Bench said, was aimed at ensuring ground-level enforcement of those national directions.

Copies of the order have been directed to be sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti; the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh; the Member Secretary, UPPCB; the District Magistrate, Meerut; and the Divisional Forest Officer, Meerut for compliance.

Appearances: For Respondents Nos. 1–5: Ankit Verma, Adv., For Respondent No. 6 (UP Pollution Control Board): Mr. Pradeep Misra and Mr. Daleep Dhyani, Advs.

Case Title: NGT (on its own motion) v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors.

Coram: Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (Judicial Member), Dr. Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member)

Date of Judgment: November 6, 2025