The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently ordered the governments of Delhi and Haryana to enforce an Environment Management Plan (EMP) for the protection and rejuvenation of the Najafgarh Jheel, a wetland located between the two states. The EMP is to be closely monitored by the National Wetland Authority through their respective State Wetland Authorities. Najafgarh Jheel serves as a habitat for numerous bird species, including several threatened ones. This article explores the wetland’s significance, the current issues it faces, and the potential benefits of its proposed revival.
National Green Tribunal and Environment Management Plan
The National Green Tribunal is a specialized body established under the National Green Tribunal Act of 2010. It handles cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. India is the third country in the world to establish an environmental tribunal, making it the first developing nation to do this.
The Environment Management Plan (EMP) they propose mainly aims at notifying the Najafgarh jheel and its influential area under The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. The plan includes measures like demarcating wetland boundaries, conducting hydrological assessments, and carrying out species inventory.
About Najafgarh Jheel
Located near the Gurugram-Rajokri border on National Highway-48 in southwest Delhi, Najafgarh Jheel lies in a natural depression. The lake primarily contains sewage from Gurugram and surrounding Delhi villages. Its importance is evident in its avian diversity, hosting 281 bird species. These include endangered ones like the Egyptian vulture, Sarus Crane, Steppe Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, and Imperial Eagle.
Current Status and Concerns
Though originally spanning 226 sq km across Delhi and Gurugram, Najafgarh Jheel has reduced to a mere seven sq km due to unchecked encroachment. It has also suffered from fragmentation, pollution, and infestations of invasive species. The Sahibi river, which was the natural floodplain of this jheel, has now been virtually converted into a drain.
The Significance of Najafgarh Jheel
As a natural infrastructure, Najafgarh Jheel provides numerous benefits. It buffers floods, treats wastewater, recharges groundwater, provides a habitat for various species and can regulate the microclimate. If the EMPs are fully enforced, Najafgarh Jheel could play a key role in mitigating the local effects of climate change.
Wetlands Defined
Wetlands are regions where water is the main factor controlling the associated plant and animal life. They are present where the water table is surface level or covered by shallow water. These are described as lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Every year, 2nd February is acknowledged as World Wetlands Day to commemorate the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024