Gurugram: Land sharks eat into waterbody, buildings come up in 80% area

GURUGRAM: A substantial portion of a two-acre waterbody in Gurgaon has been converted into residential land as revealed in Google Earth images from the past few years.

More than 80% of the pond located at Fazilpur in Jharsa village has been encroached upon by two buildings. However, the revenue records still point towards the presence of a waterbody in the area.

According to the images from 2017, 2018 and 2020, the pond was first filled up by dumping of soil and then the buildings were built on it. They reveal how the waterbody catchment area was destroyed, cleared up and then the construction took place.

According to a report submitted by the district administration to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), there are 826 water bodies in Gurgaon. The NGT had directed the authorities to restore waterbodies in the city, however, no such action has been initiated in the past six months. In its June order, the green tribunal had directed the city authorities to protect waterbodies “as they not only add to the availability of water for different purposes, but also contribute to recharge of groundwater and help maintain water flow in rivers.”

According to environmentalists, such encroachments upon waterbodies are a result of flooding during the annual monsoon. There is no absolute data available on how many such waterbodies have died out because of unplanned development. “How can buildings come up in place of a waterbody? The question is when the revenue record and Google Maps clearly show that the area has a waterbody, how can permission for construction be granted?” asked Vaishali Rana Chandra, environment activist.

Despite the alarming trend that the city has been witnessing since 2016, the administration has not been able to save the waterbodies in the city, environmentalists pointed out. “The MCG has been allowing change of land dues and filing of waterbodies. This said, the waterbody has been filled up and a major chunk of it is already gone. The administration should at least try to protect what is left of it and revive its depth as well,” said Vivek Kamboj, environmentalist.

Meanwhile, MCG officials said they will look into the issue. “The administration has been working towards conserving waterbodies. Also, we will verify if the permission was sought to construct buildings in the area,” said a senior MCG official.