Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Talab Bachao Abhiyan (TBA) Vs Govt of Bihar & Others dated 30/04/2024.

The NGT through its previous order, March 23, 2023 had directed the constitution of a committee under the Chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Bihar. The committee was entrusted to remove encroachments from three ponds, Darbhanga.

The NGT had directed that "the three ponds, namely, Dighi, Harai and Ganga Sagar, in Darbhanga District of Bihar, shall be restored to their pristine glory and their embankments shall be strengthened by planting grass and natural shrubs and trees to provide an eco-friendly landscape which can be used by the public for recreation." The committee was also asked to ensure that drains leading into the three ponds/water bodies are completely diverted from the said water bodies. Effective sewage management should be put in place to ensure that no municipal waste is allowed to flow into the three ponds. Further, all illegal constructions leading into the three ponds and encroachments should be removed within three months, the order said.

However, the application filed by the Talab Bachao Abhiyan (TBA) said that the order of the court has not been complied with till date. NGT directed the concerned authorities to file their counter affidavit within a period of four weeks showing compliance of the directions given in the NGT order, March 23, 2023.