Affidavit of District Magistrate Meerut on steps taken to free ponds of encroachments, 03/05/2025
Affidavit of District Magistrate Meerut in compliance of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, March 5, 2025.
The NGT, September 4, 2024 had directed a joint committee to submit a report giving details of ponds in Meerut district including all specifications relating to ownership and status of encroachments among other details.
The joint committee report stated that Meerut district has 3,528 ponds of which 3,144 are situated in rural areas and 384 in urban areas. Out of the total ponds, 2,949 ponds are free from encroachments, however 61 ponds have been encroached upon by the erection of temporary structures and 570 ponds by the construction of permanent structures.
The report also mentioned that in respect of 80 such encroachments, proceedings under section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code are pending, and in two cases, proceedings are underway under the provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.
At a meeting of the District Wetlands Committee, April 23, 2025, the Divisional Director of Social Forestry, Meerut Division stated that directions have been issued concerning the restoration of ponds and removal of encroachments in Meerut district.
The Divisional Director also stated that the restoration efforts for these ponds are actively being undertaken through various governmental schemes and departments including the Amrit Sarovar Yojana, Atal Bhujal Yojana, MGNREGA, Groundwater Fund, Gram Nidhi and other such programs.
The Tehsildar of Mawana has informed that out of the cases concerning permanent encroachments, illegal encroachments have been removed from five ponds.
The Tehsildar of Sardhana has reported that in twelve such cases involving permanent constructions, the illegal encroachers have been vacated.
Similarly, a report has been submitted by Tehsildar Sadar Meerut, wherein he has informed that a total of 34 cases are currently under consideration. Proceedings for eviction have been undertaken in respect of 0.1386 hectares of land. Further, 50 instances of temporary encroachments have been observed on site, consisting primarily of makeshift structures such as huts and debris accumulations, of which 6 encroachments have been successfully removed. Additionally, 248 permanent encroachments have been recorded.