The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken decisive action to address the environmental concerns in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch by ordering a comprehensive survey of salt pits and borewells that disrupt the natural flow of the Luni River. The tribunal’s Western zonal bench in Pune, led by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr. Vijay Kulkarni, issued the directive on February 5.
The NGT formed a committee consisting of representatives from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Kutch District Collector, and Central Ground Water Authority/Board. This committee is tasked with visiting the site to identify those responsible for illegal encroachments that obstruct the river’s course.
The tribunal’s decision came in response to a plea from Kanaiyalal Rajgor, who advocated for the removal of all illegal encroachments in both the Great Rann of Kutch (GRK) and Little Rann of Kutch (LRK). Rajgor highlighted the severe impact of these obstructions, noting that salt pits and borewells dug up to 200 feet deep within the Luni riverbed have led to the creation of mud embankments up to 15 feet high, significantly altering the river’s flow and affecting the region’s ecology.
These barriers not only disrupt the river but also prevent water from reaching the LRK, which includes a critically endangered wildlife sanctuary. The Luni River is essential as it feeds into Sighada and Chhansara Dams in Patan district, crucial for the local wildlife and agricultural activities.
Historically, similar encroachments were removed in 2014 following Rajgor’s complaints, but the issue has resurfaced, prompting further legal action. The tribunal also reviewed satellite imagery provided by the applicant, which clearly showed the pits that obstruct the water flow.
In its directive, the NGT emphasized the urgency of the situation and mandated the committee to submit their findings within one month. The GPCB has been designated as the nodal agency to facilitate this report.
