Despite explicit court directives, the process of physically demarcating the floodplain of the Yamuna River in Delhi remains incomplete, leaving the crucial ecosystem vulnerable to encroachment and environmental degradation.
Nearly a decade after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the identification and protection of the Yamuna’s floodplain, recent investigations reveal significant lapses in the demarcation process. Despite claims by the Delhi government that “100%” demarcation has been achieved in some areas, on-site visits and interviews conducted by The Hindu indicate persistent gaps and inconsistencies. Encroachment onto the floodplain, a long-standing issue exacerbated by urban development projects, has intensified over the years. Despite landmark judgments and directives, including the NGT’s ‘Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan, 2017’, illegal constructions and encroachments continue to proliferate, contributing to the degradation of the river’s ecosystem. Efforts by authorities to address the issue have faced numerous challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles and incomplete demarcation processes. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), tasked with demarcating the floodplain, has missed deadlines and encountered logistical obstacles, hampering progress. Recent attempts to rectify the situation, such as the formation of new committees and revised demarcation guidelines, have yielded limited results. Challenges persist, including the lack of comprehensive maps and bureaucratic inefficiencies within government departments.
Moreover, satellite imagery indicates a concerning trend of ongoing encroachments and illegal constructions within the floodplain, highlighting the urgency of decisive action to protect this vital ecosystem. The NGT’s intervention and continued scrutiny underscore the gravity of the situation, emphasising the need for swift and effective measures to address encroachments and safeguard the Yamuna’s floodplain for future generations. As the legal and administrative processes unfold, the fate of the Yamuna’s floodplain hangs in the balance, highlighting the complex interplay between environmental conservation, urban development, and regulatory oversight in India’s rapidly growing cities.
