Supreme Court Addresses Nationwide Encroachments on Riverbeds

The Supreme Court has requested responses from government bodies concerning illegal constructions and encroachments on riverbeds and floodplains. The plea seeks the demolition of unauthorized structures, calling for the immediate implementation of River Conservation Zones and the demarcation of floodplains, citing a national water crisis as a significant concern.

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to various government ministries addressing a plea on the continuing unauthorized constructions on riverbeds and floodplains across India.

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, sought replies from the Environment Ministry, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Central Water Commission, and the Central Pollution Control Board within three weeks.

The plea, submitted by former IPS officer Dr. Ashok Kumar Raghav, advocates for the demolition of such structures to restore rivers and calls for the quick notification of the 2015 draft River Conservation Zone Regulation, emphasizing the urgency amid India's worsening water crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)