17 Districts Notified As Flood Plain Zones: UP Govt Files Affidavit Before NGT In Case Alleging Ravines Destruction And Mining Near Taj Mahal

A letter petition by one Dr. Sharad Gupta (applicant) through Advocate-on-Record Anshul Gupta and Advocates Kirti Dua, Rishabh Daria, and Aditya Tainguriya had raised grievances about the destruction of forest ravines, which serve as natural habitats for over 1000 species of animals and plants. The letter stated that as per newspaper reports, the destruction of ravines would lead to the devastation of the ecological chain and harm Taj Mahal as well as restrict the floodplain zone of the Yamuna river in Agra. 

The NGT had constituted a Joint Committee comprising representatives of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, Regional Office of MoEF&CC, Lucknow, Taj Trapzium Zone Authority, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and District Magistrate, Agra to the verify factual position of the allegations.

The Joint Committee's report indicated that the committee members inspected the said area and on discussions with the Divisional Forest Officer, Agra, it was informed that no large-scale mining has been done in the Taj Forest block and that and ravines had not been destroyed. The report also stated that during the visit, the Executive Engineer of the Department of Irrigation informed that the demarcation of flood plain zone behind Taj Mahal had not been carried out yet.

Pursuant to the Joint Committee's report, the NGT had directed the Central Water Commission (CWC) to complete the floodplain demarcation process for the Yamuna River within four months. In view of the order, the CWC had filed detailed reply on the steps taken for demarcation/identification of Flood Plain Zone.

The NGT had asked the State of UP to issue the necessary notifications within three weeks of receiving the demarcation report.

The counsel for the State of UP had stated that within two weeks from the date of receipt of report regarding identification/demarcation of flood plain zone from Committee constituted by CWC, the Irrigation Department would issue necessary notification within three weeks. Based on this statement, the Court had disposed of the application.

In view of NGT's order, the State of UP submitted a compliance report, which stated that the after receiving final report of CWC regarding the coordinates of the flood plain zone of Yamuna river, the Irrigation Department completed Ground Truth Verification by blocks in the districts falling between Asgarpur to Etwah and Shahpur to Prayagraj.

It submitted that in accordance with the proposal made by the Chief Engineer and Head of Department of Irrigation and Water Resources, 17 districts have been notified as flood plain zones within the State.

The State of UP further stated that the Irrigation and Water Reprocess Department issued a requisite notification regarding identification/demarcation of flood plain zone of Yamuna river on 21.12.2024.

Case title: Dr. Sharad Gupta vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. (Original Application No.316/2022)