Home / Environment / Rajasthan HC Acts to Save Udaipur's Vital Water System
Rajasthan HC Acts to Save Udaipur's Vital Water System
9 Jun
Summary
- High Court demands urgent protection of Udaipur's water bodies.
- Court orders halt to encroachments and construction near lakes.
- Detailed reports required on water quality and conservation efforts.
The Rajasthan High Court is taking decisive action to safeguard Udaipur's critical water bodies, including lakes, canals, and wetlands. The court has ordered the state government to submit detailed affidavits and status reports concerning the protection, conservation, and management of these ecological assets. This intervention follows reports of widespread encroachments, infrastructure failures, and developmental activities threatening the interconnected lake system.
Issuing notices to 11 key respondents, the court has implemented interim measures to prevent further environmental damage. These measures strictly prohibit any new encroachments, reclamation, dumping, or construction that alters the physical boundaries of lakes, canals, feeder channels, or catchment areas. The court emphasized the crucial dependence of Udaipur's ecological stability, tourism, and economy on this intricate network of water resources, warning of cascading negative effects if any component is compromised.
Referencing constitutional provisions and the Public Trust Doctrine, the Bench highlighted the state's obligation to preserve natural resources. Consequently, all respondents must provide comprehensive reports on the status of major water bodies, water quality, ecological health, hydrological connectivity, boundary demarcations, GIS mapping, encroachments, pollution levels, biodiversity, and past expenditures on restoration. Specific attention is required for Roop Sagar Talab. The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board is tasked with assessing water contamination and recommending remedial actions, while the Udaipur District Collector will consolidate and submit a unified report.
