231 Encroached Ponds in Ghaziabad: NGT Issues Notice to UP Govt, Seeks Compliance Report
Pranav B Prem
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a serious view of continued encroachments on water bodies in Ghaziabad, despite its earlier directions for their removal and restoration. On August 29, 2025, the Tribunal issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and other authorities in response to an execution application filed by environmental activist Sushil Raghav. The application pointed out that the NGT’s order dated March 17, 2021—which required the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to oversee the removal of encroachments and ensure regular monitoring by the District Magistrate—remained largely unimplemented.
In its 2021 order, the Tribunal had clearly directed that “the Chief Secretary, UP may take further action and ensure compliance in the matter of removing of encroachments and taking other steps for restoration of water bodies by periodically holding meetings with the District Magistrate for monitoring… The data of steps taken may be placed on the relevant websites for awareness.” However, according to the applicant, these directions exist only on paper.
Appearing for the applicant, Advocate Shreepurna Dasgupta relied on an affidavit dated April 28, 2025, filed by the District Magistrate, Ghaziabad, in a connected matter—Himanshu Tyagi vs. State of Uttar Pradesh. The affidavit admitted that out of 1,075 ponds in the district, as many as 231 ponds remain encroached, covering a total area of 57.04 hectares.
The affidavit further provided a detailed breakup:
Sadar Tehsil: 29 ponds encroached (9.41 hectares)
Modinagar Tehsil: 120 ponds encroached (25.90 hectares)
Loni Tehsil: 38 ponds encroached (7.32 hectares)
Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation: 44 ponds encroached (14.40 hectares)
Although the District Magistrate claimed to have issued directions to respective Tehsildars and the Municipal Commissioner to act against encroachments, the applicant submitted annexures with photographs and tabulated data showing that illegal occupation of these ponds continues.
On behalf of the State, Advocates Bhanwar Pal Singh Jadon, Harsh Vardhan Singh Rajawat, Gargi Chaturvedi, and Anjali Sharma argued that the matter is already under consideration in OA No. 958/2024, where the Tribunal has ordered removal of encroachments and even summoned officials for personal appearance. They also referred to the earlier case of Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi vs. Union of India (2019), in which the NGT directed that every water body in the country should be assigned a Unique Identification Number (UID) and necessary restoration steps be taken.
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The Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Expert Member Ishwar Singh observed that the conservation of water bodies is not a concern confined to one state but is part of larger environmental governance across the country. The Tribunal issued notice to all respondents, directing them to file their replies through affidavits at least one week before the next hearing. It further clarified that if any respondent files a reply directly without routing it through an advocate, such a respondent must remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal. The applicant has also been directed to serve notice on all respondents and submit an affidavit of service before the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed along with OA No. 958/2024 on October 7, 2025 for further consideration.
Appearance
Applicant: Ms. Shreepurna Dasgupta, Adv. for Applicant in E.A 56/2025
Respondents: Mr. Bhanwar Pal Singh Jadon, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Singh Rajawat, Ms. Gargi Chaturvedi & Ms. Anjali Sharma, Advs. for the State of UP
Cause Title: Sushil Raghav V State of UP and Others
Case No: Execution Application No. 56/2025 In Original Application No. 65/2020
Coram: Justice Prakash Shrivastava [Chairperson], Expert Member Ishwar Singh
