NGT orders removal of encroachments from Hingonia Dam, Rajasthan
Synopsis
The NGT has ordered the removal of illegal encroachments from Hingonia Dam in Rajasthan, directing the JDA, District Collector, and the state Water Resources Department to act. With a final hearing set for 2 July 2026 and discrepancies flagged in official area reports, the case has become a flashpoint for wetland protection and urban encroachment accountability in Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
The NGT Central Zone Bench, Bhopal , has directed the District Collector and JDA to remove unlawful encroachments from Hingonia Dam , Rajasthan.
The Rajasthan Water Resources Department has been identified as the dam's custodian and directed to ensure the entire area remains under its supervision.
The department must submit an affidavit detailing action taken before the next hearing.
The petitioner flagged alleged discrepancies between the dam's original area and figures in official reports.
Wetland issues exceeding 2.25 hectares are governed by earlier Supreme Court directions.
The case is listed for final hearing on 2 July 2026 .
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Central Zone Bench, Bhopal, has directed the removal of unlawful encroachments from the Hingonia Dam area in Rajasthan, issuing firm orders to the District Collector and the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) to act through due process of law. The directions came during the hearing of Application No. 07/2025 (CZ), filed by petitioner Kamlesh Roj against the State of Rajasthan and others.
Key Directions from the Tribunal
The bench, comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Judicial Member, and Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi, Expert Member, directed the Principal Secretary of the Rajasthan Water Resources Department — identified as the custodian of the dam — to examine the matter and ensure the entire dam area remains under the department's custody, supervision, and protection. The department has also been instructed to initiate action against any encroachments found and submit an affidavit detailing steps taken before the next date of hearing.
Discrepancies and Interim Applications
During proceedings, the applicant raised concerns over alleged discrepancies between the original total area of Hingonia Dam and the figures reflected in reports submitted by authorities. Counsel for certain respondents maintained that relevant details had already been provided in the report filed by the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
The petitioner also pressed Interim Application No. 30/2026 seeking interim relief, alongside Interim Application No. 72/2026 concerning the applicability of the Wetland Conservation and Management Rules, 2017. The Tribunal observed that issues relating to wetlands exceeding 2.25 hectares would be governed by directions previously issued by the Supreme Court.
Broader Environmental Significance
The order is being viewed as consequential in the context of environmental protection and the preservation of water bodies in ecologically sensitive zones. This comes amid growing concerns over shrinking wetland areas across Rajasthan and increasing pressure on natural water resources driven by urban expansion and illegal occupation.
Notably, the NGT's intervention underscores a wider national pattern: courts and tribunals have repeatedly had to step in to enforce land-use regulations around protected water bodies, particularly in peri-urban zones where development pressure is acute.
Next Hearing
With pleadings in the matter now complete, the Tribunal has listed the case for final hearing on 2 July 2026. The outcome is expected to set a precedent for how encroachments on dam and wetland areas are handled across Rajasthan.
Point of View
But the history of encroachment enforcement in India's peri-urban water bodies suggests the harder battle lies in implementation. The flagged discrepancy between the dam's original area and official reports is a red flag — if the baseline itself is contested, the removal exercise could be gamed. The Rajasthan Water Resources Department being named custodian is meaningful only if it is given teeth; past tribunal orders on wetlands have frequently stalled at the affidavit stage. With the final hearing set for July, the quality of the department's affidavit will reveal whether this is genuine course-correction or procedural compliance.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the NGT ordered regarding Hingonia Dam in Rajasthan?
The NGT Central Zone Bench, Bhopal, has directed the District Collector and the Jaipur Development Authority to remove unlawful encroachments from the Hingonia Dam area through due process of law. The Rajasthan Water Resources Department has also been ordered to ensure the dam area remains under its custody and supervision.
Who filed the case before the NGT?
The case was filed by petitioner Kamlesh Roj as Application No. 07/2025 (CZ) against the State of Rajasthan and others. The petitioner also raised concerns about alleged discrepancies in the reported area of Hingonia Dam.
What is the significance of the Wetland Conservation and Management Rules, 2017 in this case?
The petitioner pressed an interim application concerning the applicability of the Wetland Conservation and Management Rules, 2017. The NGT clarified that wetland-related issues involving areas exceeding 2.25 hectares are governed by directions previously issued by the Supreme Court.
When is the next hearing in the Hingonia Dam case?
The NGT has listed the case for final hearing on 2 July 2026. Before that date, the Rajasthan Water Resources Department is required to submit an affidavit detailing the action taken on encroachments.
Why is this order considered significant?
The order is seen as important for environmental protection and preservation of water bodies in ecologically sensitive zones. It comes amid growing concern over shrinking wetlands and increasing urban encroachment on natural water resources across Rajasthan.
