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Trees uprooted alongside a highway resulting in a Chhath Puja ghat. | Photo Credit: Nikhil M. Babu
A go to by The Hindu to 6 of those websites revealed widespread digging, levelling, and compacting of land, all utilizing bulldozers and earthmovers, together with the entire elimination of tall grass, shrubs, and different vegetation from the delicate ecosystem.
At a ghat close to the Old Railway Bridge (ORB), an almost 500-metre-long highway was seen being constructed throughout the floodplains utilizing gravel and rocks. At one other ghat close to the DND flyover, depressions within the terrain had been being full of soil utilizing heavy equipment, whereas a big tent was being erected close by.
Similarly, at a ghat on the japanese financial institution of the Yamuna close to ITO, an earthmover was seen making a ramp over a water-filled marshy ditch utilizing plastic sandbags. A construction that considerably resembled a makeshift bridge was additionally seen, linking two elements of the floodplains separated by a flowing channel of the river.
2015 order
At each the ORB and DND ghats, uprooted timber over six toes tall had been discovered mendacity alongside the momentary highway resulting in the websites. The NGT’s 2015 order categorically prohibits the “filling up” of floodplains. Following the controversial 2016 Art of Living cultural pageant held on the Yamuna floodplains, an NGT-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) had noticed that such actions, together with the elimination of pure vegetation and filling up of depressions, may cause irreversible hurt to the ecosystem. The NGT accepted the report in 2017 and imposed a ₹5 crore advantageous on the organisers, whereas reprimanding authorities for giving permission for the occasion.
The workplace of Parvesh Sahib Singh, Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control, declined to touch upon the matter regardless of repeated calls and messages.
Possible wetland loss
Echoing findings from the HPC’s 2016 report, environmental consultants warned that the present exercise might result in lack of wetlands on the floodplains.
“The pure vegetation consisting of reeds and timber has been fully eliminated, and the massive variety of birds and different pure life supported by the floodplains have vanished because of this destruction,” the HPC’s report had famous.
It had additionally warned that altering the topography of the floodplains, by the development of ramps, filling up of water our bodies, and soil compaction, would “eradicate the pure bodily options and variety of habitats”.
‘Clear violation’
In its December 2017 judgment, the NGT additionally clarified that even wetlands not formally notified should be protected in the event that they exhibit wetland-like traits. “What is occurring now on the ghats is paying homage to the Art of Living case,” stated an environmental knowledgeable who has served on NGT-appointed committees. “Excavation, eradicating of vegetation, and levelling depressions will alter the essential character of the floodplains, destroy their water recharging capability, and harm the pure ecosystem. This violates the NGT’s instructions,” the knowledgeable stated.
At a number of ghats, together with at ITO, remnants of pure vegetation – grass as tall as six toes – stood beside areas cleared by bulldozers. At some websites, sand-filled sacks had been getting used to stabilise soil and create makeshift steps for devotees.
Pointing to 1 such melancholy close to DND, an organiser stated: “We levelled part of this utilizing a bulldozer and plan to degree the remainder quickly. We predict a big turnout on October 27 and 28, so we have to create house for devotees.”
Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari termed the exercise a “clear violation”. “The floodplains are supposed to be left untouched and guarded. Whatever is occurring is a transparent breach of present legal guidelines and an act of ecological destruction,” she stated.
Published – October 25, 2025 01:37 am IST
