News: NGT Gives Haryana Six Months on Waterlogging, Groundwater-18-05-2026
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Haryana government to examine the twin problems of waterlogging and groundwater depletion in the state and take remedial steps within six months. It observed that effective action on the ground against illegal groundwater extraction was still lacking.
The principal bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert members Dr A. Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad was disposing of a petition by Haryana farmer Jai Singh under Sections 14, 15 and 18 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. Filed through advocates Gaurav Arya, Naveen Bamel, Harsh Goyal, Aakrshak Rathi and Manav Trivedi, it sought a scientific committee to study waterlogging, soil salinity and groundwater depletion.
The plea said excessive irrigation, canal seepage, poor drainage and over-extraction had created a hydrological imbalance. Citing studies and official reports, it claimed nearly 9.82 lakh acres are affected by waterlogging and salinity, particularly in Rohtak, Jhajjar, Charkhi Dadri, Sonipat, Bhiwani, Hisar and Fatehabad, and that 88 of the state’s 143 groundwater assessment units are "over-exploited".
Referring to earlier proceedings on illegal extraction in Gurugram and elsewhere, the tribunal said none of the authorities’ replies reflected effective ground-level action. It noted allegations against builders, industries, educational institutions, residential societies and farmhouses.
It reiterated Central Groundwater Board recommendations: crop diversification, mandatory rooftop rainwater harvesting in government buildings and wider micro-irrigation.
The chief secretary was directed to treat the application as a representation to the government and place it before the state after hearing stakeholders. The applicant may approach the NGT again if dissatisfied.
