Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding protection of Sambhar lake, Rajasthan, 09/11/2023
The National Green Tribunal (Central Zone Bench, Bhopal), November 9 issued a slew of directions for protection of Sambhar lake, a Ramsar site.
Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Environment Rajasthan was directed to ensure demarcation of lake area, delineation of core and buffer area of Sambhar lake wetland within 3 months. Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Department of Revenue and Collectors of districts Nagaur, Ajmer and Jaipur should cooperate and coordinate with the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Environment Department for completion of the above task, within the time prescribed, said the NGT.
The State Wetland Authority and all other concerned authorities have been ordered to finalise Integrated Environment Management Plan (IEMP) of Sambhar Lake wetland and forward it to the National Wetland Committee for its approval within one month. IEMP should include a proposal for the establishment of 'Hydrobiological monitoring station' in the vicinity of the wetland. Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) should take steps to stop discharge of untreated effluent in wetland whether by any local body or individual or industrial unit in any manner and take all preventive, prohibitive, remedial as well as punitive including criminal action against the defaulters/violators.
The NGT directed constitution of a High Powered Committee to visit the site of Sambhar lake wetland and prepared a report on the aspect of illegal extraction of lake brine/water from the lake, installation of borewells illegally by the individuals or companies, violation of Wetland Rules, 2017 and other activities causing damage to the ecology of Sambhar lake and identify the violators.