NGT directs Haryana authorities to clear encroachments from Jharsa pond

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a directive ordering Haryana’s pollution control board and local municipal bodies to clear all illegal encroachments around Jharsa pond, a water body located in the Gurgaon district. The order comes after petitions highlighted that unregulated settlements and structures have been degrading the pond’s ecosystem and reducing its capacity to store rainwater.

NGT’s notice instructs the concerned agencies to take immediate action, conduct a survey of the encroached area, and devise a plan for removal of the structures while ensuring minimal disruption to residents. The tribunal emphasized the importance of preserving the pond as a critical source of groundwater recharge for the surrounding communities.

State officials are expected to submit a compliance report to the tribunal within a stipulated timeframe, outlining the steps taken to restore the pond’s original catchment area. The move reflects a broader push by environmental regulators to protect urban water bodies across the country.