Don't touch water bodies under garb of beautification, Supreme Court tells Bihar govt
The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Bihar government to halt construction projects involving the filling of historic ponds in Darbhanga. The court emphasized that water bodies must not be encroached upon or filled under the guise of beautification projects.
Why it matters
This ruling reinforces environmental protection laws and limits government power to alter natural landscapes for commercial or aesthetic development.
NEW DELHI: Taking a stern view of allegations that the Bihar govt is filling parts of three historic ponds in Darbhanga to create public amenities such as recreation spaces and stalls, Supreme Court on Tuesday warned the state govt "not to touch the water bodies under the garb of beautification" without its approval.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed the state to immediately stall ongoing work related to 'Beautification and Rejuvenation of Gangasagar, Digghi and Harahi Lake' project. Although the state refuted allegations of encroachment and urged Supreme Court to allow the work to continue, describing it as an ambitious project worth more than Rs 100 crore, the bench refused to budge and ordered that no further work be carried out."You can't fill up water bodies under the garb of beautification.
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