NGT asks NMCG to trace origin of Budhi Ganga river in UP

The National Green Tribunal has directed the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to submit a report identifying the origin of the Budhi Ganga River and its entire course until it merges with the Ganga River or any of its tributaries.

The green body, while hearing a matter related to encroachment of the Budhi Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, had earlier directed the authorities to demarcate the river’s floodplain. In an order dated August 3, made available on Wednesday, a bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad noted that the state’s Irrigation and Water Resources Department had filed a report, saying physical demarcation of the Budhi Ganga floodplain and installation of boundary pillars were being carried out based on a report by the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, in accordance with the Ganga Rejuvenation Order, 2016.

“Complete boundary pillar installation across all four reaches (of the river’s floodplain zone) is on track and proposed to be fully concluded by August 30, 2026,” the report said.

It said 277 pillars in Muzaffarnagar district had been installed, while more than 50 per cent of the work in Meerut and Hapur districts was finished.

The tribunal directed the state authorities to file a further progress report at least one week before the next hearing, confirming completion of the flood plain demarcation.

It noted the submissions of the petitioner that state authorities had provided an incorrect origin point of the Budhi Ganga river, and that he had an “authentic” 200-year-old map showing the river’s origin.

The petitioner, during earlier proceedings, had pointed out that the river originates from Devel village in Muzaffarnagar and flows to Garhmukteshwar in Hapur district.

The tribunal allowed him to submit the map and other relevant material to the NMCG within a week.

“The Director General, NMCG, will duly examine the same and also take into account the other material available with him and submit a report by way of an affidavit disclosing the origin point of river Budhi Ganga and its entire track till it merges with river Ganga or any of its tributaries.”

“Let this affidavit be filed at least one week before the next date of hearing (on October 16),” the tribunal said.