Environmental Concerns Over Chhath Puja Preparations

Environmental Concerns with Chhath Puja Preparations on Yamuna Floodplains

1. NGT Directions: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has specific prohibitions against construction and alteration of floodplains as per its 2015 order. The ongoing preparations for Chhath Puja at various ghats on the Yamuna floodplains appear to violate these directives.

2. Ecosystem Damage: Preparatory activities involve extensive digging, leveling, and compaction of land using heavy machinery:

   • Complete removal of tall grass, shrubs, and natural vegetation noted.
   • Construction of temporary roads across floodplains, including a nearly 500-meter road at a site near the Old Railway Bridge and filling depressions with soil.

3. Remedial Actions and Past Cases:

   • A High-Powered Committee (HPC) was appointed after the controversial Art of Living festival in 2016 which also violated NGT orders. The HPC's report emphasized the irreversible damage to the ecosystem caused by activities like removing vegetation and land alteration.
   • The NGT accepted this report in 2017, resulting in a fine of ₹5 crore on organizers of that event and a reprimand to authorities for permission granting.

4. Legal Context:

   • NGT's December 2017 judgment affirmed protection for wetlands, regardless of formal notifications if they exhibit wetland-like characteristics.
   • Activities are seen as reminiscent of the Art of Living case, which posed potential threats to biodiversity and water recharge capabilities of the floodplains.

5. Environmental Expert Opinions: Experts have expressed serious concerns regarding the current ecological impact, indicating a significant loss of wetland flora and fauna. The alterations are predicted to eliminate the natural physical features and diversity of habitats essential for local wildlife.

6. Activist Concerns: Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari identified these activities as a “clear violation” of existing laws, highlighting that the floodplains should be preserved in their natural state to protect local ecosystems.

7. Government Response: The office of Parvesh Sahib Singh, Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control, did not provide any comments regarding these developments despite attempts for clarification.

Conclusion

Ongoing preparations for Chhath Puja on the Yamuna floodplains raise significant environmental concerns, in direct contravention of NGT directives aimed at protecting sensitive ecosystems. The implications of such actions could lead to long-term ecological damage, calling for immediate judicial scrutiny and enforcement of conservation policies.