Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court Thursday directed state authorities to take immediate action against encroachments obstructing natural drains and catchment areas, emphasising the importance of preserving these water channels for groundwater recharge in the arid region of Rajasthan.The division bench, consisting of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Maneesh Sharma, issued the directive while examining a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Govindram, a resident of Khatwada village in Jaipur’s Sanganer tehsil.The petition highlighted illegal constructions on a natural water channel situated on non-cultivable govt land, identified as Khasra No 220. The petitioner’s counsel, Siddharth Jain Mutha, informed the court that, despite multiple representations made to authorities, effective measures to tackle the encroachments were not implemented. The counsel pointed out that permanent boundary walls erected over the water channel were obstructing the natural flow of rainwater to the Nevta Dam, located on the outskirts of Jaipur.The petition further referenced prior revenue inspections and official communications that recommended remedial action while citing previous high court rulings that prohibited encroachments on water bodies. The court was told that villagers alerted authorities in Feb about the obstruction, which was corroborated by a patwari inspection that identified blockages from sand, debris, and construction activity. The authorities, however, failed to act on these findings.The bench noted that the problem extended beyond just one village, observing a concerning trend of agricultural landowners constructing permanent barriers that impede natural drainage. The bench stressed that while demarcation of agricultural land was crucial, it must not disrupt water flow. Measures were directed to be taken to ensure openings at the low side of boundary walls to maintain water flow.Moreover, the court’s directive was not limited to the current PIL but extended to the entire catchment areas of Ramgarh and Kukas near Jaipur, restraining civil and revenue courts from entertaining suits that could hinder removal of encroachments without the high court’s consent. The authorities were instructed to issue public and individual notices through tehsildars, allowing landowners to restore water passages voluntarily. The matter is scheduled for a compliance report on Aug 5.
