New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to stop the illegal felling of trees and forests and soil erosion in the surrounding areas of Benital Lake in Chamoli. With the PIL, the matter of protection and conservation of the endangered Benital Lake located in Karnprayag tehsil of Chamoli has now reached the country's highest environmental court National Green Tribunal.
This petition has been filed by Ratneshwar Jan Kalyan Samiti (RJKS), a social organization devoted to environmental protection and other social causes.
The RJKS has also demanded to constitute a Committee to investigate the matter and draft a plan for the revival of Benital.
The matter has been listed for 17 March 2023 for further consideration.
In the petition, State Government of Uttarakhand, District Administration Chamoli, Divisional Forest Officer Chamoli, Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board, Rajiv Sarin and Ajit Sarin have been made respondents. Rajiv Sarin and Ajit Sarin are said to be in possession of some land in Benital.
Devendra Kumar Raturi, social activist and general secretary of Ratneshwar Janakalyan Samiti, said that the NGT issued an important order on 17 January 2023 (OA No. 391/2022) in a similar case. In this order, the Hon'ble Court has sought a complete action plan from the concerned parties for the revival of the important pond which is drying up in Gurugram. Similarly we want that the Honorable Tribunal issue orders for a comprehensive action plan for the protection and revival of Benital Lake.
According to Shambhu Prasad Raturi, an educationist and President of Ratneshwar Jan Kalyan Samiti, the petition has been filed under Section 14(1) of the NGT Act, 2010. Under Section 15 of the NGT Act 2010, it is also prayed that Hon'ble Tribunal to immediately issue orders to stop any kind of illegal construction, erosion and other related activities in Benital.
Devendra Kumar Raturi said that Ratneshwar Jankalyan Samiti has also submitted to the court several reports related to Benital. The study report done by Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University's Department of Environmental Science in 2018 regarding the quality of Benital Lake and its surface water has also been annexed with the petition.
In the petition Ratneshwar Jankalyan Samiti has finally submitted that the Hon'ble Tribunal may be pleased to:
1. Direct the respondents to place on record the data of extent of Benital lake and surrounding trees in last five years.
2. Constitute a Committee to investigate the matter with the help of satellite images and to submit its report to protect the Benital Lake from degradation.
3. Direct the respondents to place the time bound action plan to restore the Benital Lake to its natural & enriched state.
4. Prohibit the respondents Rajiv Sarin and Ajit Sarin from altering the nature and status of the Benital lake and disturbing its natural status.
5. Pass any other such order/orders as this Hon'ble Tribunal may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of this case.
Benital: An Introduction
Benital is directly connected by Karnprayag-Simli-Ratura-Benital road in Chamoli district. On the other hand it is situated in the south-eastern part, 6 km away from Adibadri (a famous pilgrimage center for Hindus).
Situated at an altitude of 2,083 meters, Benital is also known for its natural beauty and biodiversity. But its biggest attraction is the natural egg-shaped lake situated amidst the green bugyals.
Benital Lake is the lifeline of hundreds of people as the main source of water for dozens of nearby villages. The length of the lake is about 134m while the width is about 70m with a circumference of 220m. The maximum depth of the lake is in the centre which is 2.7m.
Benital Lake is surrounded by two mountain ranges--the Beni Tal range and the Dudhatoli range. It receives an annual rainfall of about 175 to 200 cm. The region is rich in valuable vegetation and biodiversity.
