NGT junks plea seeking demolition of 12 check dams in Uttar Pradesh

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has dismissed a plea filed by a scientist seeking directions to demolish 12 check dams in western Uttar Pradesh on the grounds that they are allegedly contaminating ground water.

The green panel said there was no co-relation between construction of check dams and the alleged pollution in ground water.

"The pollution of water is an independent subject and would be in consequential upon construction or otherwise of the bunds.

"We are already dealing with the pollution of rivers in the independent application. We seek no reason to interfere," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The decision came while hearing a petition filed by retired scientist C V Singh, who had alleged that the analysis report of water samples near check dams showed heavy metals in excess of the prescribed limits.

The 12 check dams were constructed by the Department of Agriculture in 2004 to restore the ecological balance in the watershed in Baghpat and Shamli districts of Uttar Pradesh, the plea, filed through advocate Gaurav Bansal, had said.

"It is respectfully submitted that because of the seepage through said bunds (check dams) the contaminated river water is joining the groundwater of the said area and it is because of the said process that the groundwater is also getting highly contaminated.

"That the analysis report of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam shows that the groundwater of the said area is not only contaminated but also contains heavy metals like iron, mercury, nitrate, cadmium, sulphide etc," the plea had claimed.