NGT Orders Joint Inspection of Sambhar Lake Over Encroachment, Illegal Salt Pans
The NGT has formed a joint committee to inspect Sambhar Lake after allegations of encroachment, illegal salt pans and groundwater extraction at the Ramsar wetland.
The National Green Tribunal has constituted a joint committee to inspect Sambhar Lake and file a factual report along with the action taken, following allegations of encroachment, unauthorised salt pans, groundwater extraction and obstruction of natural water inflows at the Ramsar wetland.
The order was passed by the tribunal's Central Zone Bench in Bhopal on September 28, while hearing an application moved by Rashid Noor Khan and others against the Union of India and others. The bench observed that a substantial issue had been raised, and issued notices to the respondents directing them to file their replies within six weeks. The matter is listed for its next hearing on December 9.
The applicant alleged that illegal salt pans had come up within the lake's boundaries and that land recorded as lakebed, locally known as 'Samand', had been encroached upon. It was further alleged that brine and groundwater were being drawn through thousands of borewells installed inside the wetland, with the use of heavy machinery, pipelines and other unauthorised infrastructure.
According to the application, these activities were depleting groundwater, altering salinity levels and disturbing the lake's natural hydrological regime. Feeder streams were said to be obstructed or diverted through illegal bunds, anicuts and irrigation practices in the catchment area, reducing the flow of rainwater into the lake. The application claimed that excessive groundwater extraction, reduced inflows and high evaporation had together contributed to the shrinking of the lake, increased hypersalinity and deterioration of water quality.
Noting the lake's ecological significance, the tribunal observed that Sambhar is India's largest inland saline wetland and an important habitat for migratory birds, including flamingos. It said the lake's ecological character rests on a delicate balance involving river inflows, groundwater, evaporation and salinity.
The joint committee will include representatives of the Jaipur district collector, the State Wetland Authority Rajasthan, the Central Pollution Control Board and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. It has been directed to visit the site and submit its report within six weeks, with the state pollution control board serving as the nodal agency.