Gautam Budh Nagar works to reclaim encroached wetlands

The Gautam Budh Nagar district administration is working to protect and restore wetlands. On Monday, it shared a report with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) detailing its efforts to reclaim encroached wetlands in three areas: Sadar, Dadri, and Jewar. The NGT had previously asked for specific information on 1,018 wetlands, such as their locations, the extent of encroachments, and ongoing legal actions. The latest report outlines both the challenges and successes of these environmental efforts. In the Sadar area, a survey identified 245 ponds, with 48 found to be encroached upon by roads, buildings, and walls. The administration has taken legal action against illegal occupants, but some cases are still in court. To support long-term conservation, the administration has geo-tagged all water bodies and started desilting and planting trees. The report noted that, in the Dadri area, 480 ponds were identified, with 453 already restored. However, 27 ponds still face encroachments from unauthorized buildings, some over thirty years old. The administration is working on legal actions and uses phased strategies to deal with longstanding issues. In Jewar, out of 293 ponds, 264 have been restored, but 29 are still heavily encroached. The administration has managed to reclaim 5.8 hectares of land so far, and a task force has been set up to enhance enforcement actions. The district officials plan to provide regular updates to the NGT to ensure transparency and progress in their restoration efforts. District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma emphasized the commitment to reclaiming and protecting the wetlands. He mentioned the importance of public awareness and participation in these conservation efforts. The NGT has scheduled the next hearing for July 17, 2025, and similar updates are being requested from other nearby authorities.