NGT Issues Notice to DDA Over Mustafabad Water Body Encroachment
The National Green Tribunal has issued a notice to the DDA regarding the alleged encroachment of a 28-bigha water body in Delhi's Mustafabad village.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stepped in to address serious allegations regarding the illegal encroachment of a significant water body in northeast Delhi. A bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad issued a formal notice to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) following a plea concerning a 28-bigha site in Mustafabad village.
The Alleged Encroachment in Mustafabad
The petition, filed by the Save India Foundation, highlights a critical environmental concern involving a water body officially recorded as a Johar. Located at Khasra No. 368/1 within the revenue estate of Mustafabad village under the Yamuna Vihar sub-division, the site spans an area of 28 bighas and 2 biswas.
During the proceedings, the applicant presented several pieces of evidence to support the claim that this vital water source is being lost to illegal occupation:
- Official Records: Documents indicating the land was previously handed over to the DDA following a joint inspection, explicitly identifying it as a Johar.
- DDA Listings: The DDA’s own list of water bodies in northeast Delhi, which records the site at serial number 27 with the exact same area measurements.
- Photographic Evidence: Visual proof presented to the tribunal showing the current state of the site.
- RTI Disclosures: A response from the Office of the Block Development Officer (North-East) which clarified that the land had not been allotted for a graveyard, contradicting certain local claims.
Environmental Norms Under Scrutiny
The tribunal observed that the application raises a substantial issue regarding the compliance of environmental norms. The Save India Foundation further alleged that despite multiple complaints lodged with various authorities, no corrective action had been taken to protect the water body.
The NGT has directed the applicant to serve notice to the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next scheduled hearing. The tribunal also noted that the broader challenge of protecting and preserving Delhi's shrinking water bodies is already a matter of ongoing litigation in the court.
Next Steps and Legal Timeline
Because this matter intersects with existing legal battles regarding Delhi's water resources, the tribunal has decided to consolidate the cases. The present application will be listed alongside the pending case, Original Application No. 633/2024, on January 11, 2027.