The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the city Government to file a status report on a plea seeking cleaning and maintenance of a pond in south-west Delhi, saying it was concerned with preservation of waterbodies.
Though the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) also tweeted, “Delhi Govt to cut down water supply in VIP & VVIP areas for equal distribution after water supply from Haryana interrupted, — the Capital is facing a tough time to accomplish the water demand for each and every household” there are concerns over fast disappearing water ponds.
Environmentalists attribute the development to rapid expansion of urban agglomeration in the National Capital Territory (NCT) that has also become a major concern for the water supply authorities.
The scenario of shrinking water bodies looks grim with declining numbers of historic “baolis”. According to the revenue records of the Delhi Government, out of the total 807 waterbodies, including “baolis”, only 640 are traceable while 108 bodies have disappeared. And more shockingly, the traceable waterbodies too have been encroached upon.
Ecologists and hydrogeologits said waterbodies play pivotal roles in recharging the aquifers in order to sustain groundwater levels as the gradual declining of water bodies is impacting adversely on groundwater levels.
Surprisingly, some water bodies in the North-East district have become silhouette of “shamshan ghat” while some others are acting as “garbage dump site” and also been occupied by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) under lease.
Dr Fiyaz Khudsar, Delhi University Professor and ecologist, said encroachment, illegal constructions and dumping of untreated sewage are main reasons behind the gradual extinctions of water bodies.
“Although there are chances of revival of water bodies, but the situation is alarming now,” he said.
“The waste which is dumped on water body site and sewage are contaminating the water and the authorities should keep a watch on garbage dumping in water bodies,” said the ecologist.
“Due to inflow of waste water from the nearby residential areas and dumping garbage around water bodies contaminate water, moreover, the land use in catchment areas influences water quality through inflow of nutrients, organic and inorganic contaminants and siltation,” he said.
Strangely, a water body situated near Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Harsukh Colony in Shahbad Muhmadpur village, South- West district has been turned into a playground and there was a time when its villagers were entirely dependent on it.
Villagers, facing water shortage in this area said the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) water supply is not sufficient. “People residing in old area of village are facing water crisis due to insufficient water supply of DJB,” said Praveen, a villager. “The water body was a lifeline for us, but, now, it is a playground for children,” he said further.
As per the water body status report of 1970, total number of water bodies was 807 with an area of 14.41 square km, which declined by 21 per cent to 640, having an area of 8.51 square kilometre in 2008. About 108 (23 per cent) dry water bodies have disappeared and this contributes to loss of 4.47 square kilometre, 60 per cent of the area under the dry water bodies. Between 1997 and 1998, a total of 21 water bodies had disappeared from the map of Delhi.
Notably, the Supreme Court in a case between Hinch lal Tiwari versus Kamala Devi, (2001) has said in its judgment that in an area where a pond or water exists and the area covered by it varies in the rainy season in such a case no part of it could have been allotted to anybody for construction of house building or any allied purposes.
Meanwhile, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) Hydro-geologist has also said water bodies are significant to maintain groundwater levels. “Water made to stand for a period of time allows infiltration and percolation and recharging of groundwater aquifers to sustain good water levels in the surrounding wells,” said the hydro-geologist.
As per the findings of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the depth to water level recorded in NCT in 2015 varied from 1.20 to 62.22 meters below ground water level (mgbl). In their (CGWB) 114 observation walls (developed district wise), the deepest water levels were observed in South Delhi district.
Also in 2016, the water level in South and South West districts fluctuated between 21.96 mgbl and 59.51 mgbl , whereas the levels were observed considerable high in districts - East, New Delhi , North , North East and North West.
Hydro-geologists said the revival of water bodies is the need of hour in order to maintain the extraction and recharge levels in groundwater.