The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded the Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage for its negligence in protecting the historic Jal Mahal lake, leading to severe pollution of the water body. The court’s rebuke came during a hearing on Friday, where it directed the municipal body to engage the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to prepare a comprehensive report on immediate pollution control measures and long-term strategies for restoring and preserving the lake.
The court’s bench, comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, expressed serious concerns over the municipal body’s actions, stating that the lake had been “completely destroyed” due to its negligence. The court highlighted the irony of the municipal commissioner appearing in the virtual hearing with a “Smart City” sign in the background while allowing activities that resulted in environmental damage.
The court was hearing a petition by Jaipur’s municipal body against the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s 2023 order, which required environmental clearances before permitting activities such as a night market near the lake. The NGT had previously directed authorities to ensure compliance with regulations governing the Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary and the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Observing the severe degradation of Jal Mahal lake, the court blamed the municipal body’s neglect for its current state. The court condemned the civic authorities for allowing a night market to operate in the vicinity, releasing dirty sewage water into the lake, and dumping waste material, which completely contaminated the water.
The bench dismissed the municipal body’s claim that the “so-called development project” was meant to benefit the lake, highlighting that it had “nothing to do with restoration and preservation.” The court prohibited any development projects near the Jal Mahal Lake until NEERI submits its recommendations. Additionally, the court directed the Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage to ensure that no vending or market activities take place in the lake’s vicinity.
The matter has been listed for the next hearing on March 24, 2025.
