Identify wetlands in Dwarka in a week: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to expeditiously identify wetlands in Dwarka sub-city here after an environment activist sought the green panel's intervention in the matter.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi ordered the Arvind Kejriwal government to complete the process of identification and classification of the wetlands within a week.
"Counsel appearing for Government of NCT of Delhi submits that the decision in the matter is likely to be taken within two days and same will be placed before us for further consideration...
"In view of the submissions made before us, we grant one week time to Government of NCT of Delhi to file its reply and place its decision in regard to the identification and classification of the Wetlands before us," the bench, also comprising Expert Member Ranjan Chatterjee, said.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by one Diwan Singh who claimed that enormous amounts of rainwater goes waste due to the dilapidated condition of water bodies in Dwarka and urgent action was needed for effective utilisation of such water bodies to store the rainwater which this area received annually.
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for Singh told the bench that, as per directions of the NGT, a representation for identification of wetlands in the area was made before the city government on June 3.

But till date, no action has been taken in this regard, the counsel alleged.

The matter is now listed for next hearing on August 22.
Earlier, the tribunal had directed the city government to clean and restore all natural water bodies after a plea expressed concern over alarming depletion of the water table in the national capital.
It had also directed the government and agencies concerned to ensure that these water bodies receive rainwater in good quantity before the onset of monsoon.