The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to clean, maintain and restore all the natural water bodies in Delhi within three weeks.
The directive came after a plea expressed concern over the depletion of the water table in the city.
The green panel also directed the city government and agencies concerned to ensure that these water bodies receive rainwater in good quantity before onset of monsoon.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also issued notices to Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Urban Development, Delhi government, Central Ground Water Authority, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Jal Board and others while seeking their reply within two weeks.
All the three authorities that is NCT, Delhi, DJB and Central Ground Water Authority shall submit the compliance report to the tribunal on or before the next hearing on August 9.
The order came while hearing a plea an NGO seeking directions to provide mechanism and proper system for installing and maintaining eco-friendly and cost effective techniques throughout the country for rainwater harvesting during monsoon.