Jhansi: The Uttar Pradesh govt has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that demarcation of the Pahuj river floodplain is underway and is expected to be completed by June 2027, a move that could help regulate construction and other activities along the river corridor.The submission was made before the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) principal bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, chairperson, and Afroz Ahmad, expert member, on Aug 17 during the hearing of a petition related to the conservation of the Pahuj river.Taking serious note of allegations of illegal construction, encroachment, pollution and obstruction of natural water channels in the river, which flows through both Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and is considered the lifeline of Bundelkhand, the NGT had issued notices on a petition filed in May by Jhansi-based activist Narendra Kushwaha.The UP govt informed the tribunal that the Pahuj is around 265km long, with nearly 195 km flowing through Uttar Pradesh. The tribunal permitted the state to file a progress report on the floodplain demarcation.During the hearing, applicant Narendra Kushwaha challenged the report submitted by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB), alleging that it did not reflect the actual ground situation and omitted crucial facts concerning construction activities and their environmental impact.Kushwaha argued that the issues raised in the original application, including construction in the river zone and its possible impact on river flow and groundwater recharge, had not been examined comprehensively. He said a report based primarily on information supplied by government departments or construction agencies could not be treated as conclusive evidence of ground conditions.The MPPCB report relates, among other issues, to construction near the Surya (Balaji) Temple in Unao village of Datia district. Authorities have maintained that the construction does not encroach upon the river, involves no tree felling and has no adverse impact on river flow or groundwater recharge. The applicant disputed these claims and sought an independent assessment.The tribunal also sought a response from the DM, Datia, while other respondents were given four weeks to file their replies.Kushwaha said he would examine the responses and submit detailed objections if discrepancies, concealment of facts or misleading information were found. He also indicated that documentary and physical evidence would be placed before the tribunal.The case raises wider environmental concerns over activities in the river and floodplain, including their potential impact on the Pahuj’s natural flow, groundwater recharge and ecological health. The floodplain demarcation in UP is consequently significant for identifying environmentally sensitive areas and assessing development activities along the river. The next hearing has been fixed for Nov 2.
