New Delhi:
The Supreme Court gave the Rajasthan government six months to transfer or demolish the intake wonder structures built around the Anasagar lake. Asked the state whether more wetland could be made? Other issues related to Gandhi Smriti Park and Patel Stadium will be heard on 7 April.
The Supreme Court has given 6 months time to the state government, accepting the affidavit filed by Rajasthan Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant to transfer or demolish the consumption wonder structures around the Annasagar lake. The court also accepted the government’s statement regarding the removal of the food court around the lake.
The case was heard by Justice Abhay S.K. The bench of Oka and Justice Ujjwal Bhuiyan did. During this, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant appeared through video conferencing and informed about compliance measures taken by the state government. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Advocate General Shivamangal Sharma appeared on behalf of the Government of Rajasthan and argued that there has been significant progress in compliance with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court’s instructions.
Major points from Chief Secretary’s affidavit
The affidavit submitted by Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant gives details of compliance measures taken by the state government:
1. Removal of food court and illegal constructions
• The food court located in Lavkush Udyan has already been demolished.
• Food courts and other structures built inside the Seven Wonder Park have been removed, and one of the seven replicas has already been removed.
• The state government has sought permission to transfer or renovate the remaining structures, so that it does not affect the ecosystem of the lake.
2. Procedure to declare Annasagar lake as Wetland
• The state government has started the process of declaring Annasagar Lake as Wetland, which will be under Wetland (Protection and Management) Rules, 2017.
• A committee has been formed to prepare a detailed notification within six months.
3. Measures for environmental protection
• The footpath inside the Gandhi Smriti Park will be removed and converted into a green lawn and this work will be completed in two months.
• The indoor sports complex built inside the Patel Stadium will remain unchanged, as it conforms to the already existing structures and promotes public health and fitness.
• To improve the water quality of the lake, 4 airators and 8 fountains have been installed, for which technical assistance has been taken from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
4. Birds and Ecology Protection Efforts
• A team from Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) has been appointed to recommend additional protection measures.
• There has been a significant increase in the number of migratory birds (migratory birds), which is shown in the recent report.
on the case
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), in its order of 11 August 2023, directed to remove encroachments and illegal constructions around the Annasagar Lake. The NGT had said that these constructions violate the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 and Rajasthan Lake Protection Act, 2015.
Subsequently, the Rajasthan government challenged this order in the Supreme Court, arguing that the Seven Wonder structures and footpaths were created under the Smart City Mission and are essential for public utility. However, in its affidavit, the state government accepted the need for compliance and sought time for a planned implementation.
Impact of Supreme Court hearing and further action
The Rajasthan government can expedite the process of removing or transferring structures to the Rajasthan government after the Supreme Court has given a time-limit of six months, so that it can follow environmental standards and heritage protection rules.
Issues related to Patel Stadium, Gandhi Smriti Park and Azad Park will be taken for consideration on 7 April 2025, which will give the state government an opportunity to present additional clarifications regarding these structures. Apart from this, the Supreme Court has also asked the state government whether more wetlands can be built in Ajmer. Further action will depend on whether the government finds an alternative place for the consumption Wonder structures, or takes forward the process of their demolition as per the instructions of the Supreme Court.
(Tagstotranslate) Supreme Court (T) Rajasthan Government (T) Anasagar Lake (T) Seven Wonder Structures (T) Wonder Park (T) Supreme Court (T) Supreme Court (T) & Nbsp; Government (T) Rajasthan (T) & Nbsp; Lake (T) Lake (T) Lake (T) Lakes; Structures (T) Wonder Park
