Jharkhand News : The Jharkhand High Court has expressed serious concern over selective action in removing encroachments from dams, ponds, and other water bodies across the state. While hearing the matter on Monday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad orally observed that encroachment removal must be carried out without any discrimination.
The court directed the state authorities to identify all individuals who have illegally occupied water bodies and ensure their removal uniformly. It also issued a stern warning regarding pollution in the Harmu River, stating that if the river is not made plastic-free, contempt proceedings would be initiated against the concerned officials. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for January 5.
The High Court emphasized that the deteriorating condition of water bodies is not merely an environmental issue but a serious concern linked to public health and urban living. During the hearing, the bench sought details from the state government regarding steps taken so far to clean Ranchi’s Bara Talab.
In response, the government informed the court that a report has been sought from experts of the Indian Institute of Hydrology (IIH), Roorkee. The report aims to provide a scientific plan for removing silt and accumulated waste from the pond bed. The court subsequently directed the government to submit the IIH expert report before the next hearing, clarifying the technology and timeline for the cleaning process.
The petitioner pointed out that excessive garbage accumulation has nearly blocked the flow of the Harmu River. Taking note, the court instructed the state government to file a detailed, point-wise affidavit outlining actions taken so far, future plans, and a definite timeline for completely cleaning the river. Ranchi Municipal Corporation was also directed to ensure that no plastic or solid waste is dumped into the river.
The High Court further noted that a monitoring committee has already been constituted under the chairmanship of the Member Secretary of Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA). The committee includes officials from district administration, municipal bodies, water resources, drinking water and sanitation departments, and the police. It has been tasked with conducting regular inspections of water bodies and submitting reports to the court.
Meanwhile, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation carried out a major anti-encroachment drive in the Khadgarha and Madhukam areas, demolishing over 50 illegal structures within two hours to ease traffic congestion and public inconvenience.
