NGT directs satellite mapping of illegal encroachments on the banks of Vishwamitri

After environmentalist Rohit Prajapati filed a case in the National Green Tribunal for reviving Vishwamitri, NGT ordered the satellite mapping of illegal encroachments around the river on Saturday.

Various reports, over the years, have indicated the degradation of Vishwamitri due to the negligence of the system, haphazard constructions on its banks, and the construction of large-scale real estate projects. To curb the river’s pollution, environmentalist Rohit Prajapati had filed a case in the National Tribunal for the removal of encroachments to replenish the river. To emphasize, Rohit said, “Vishwamitri, which runs through the center of the city, starts from Pavagadh and reaches Pingalwada. The construction of buildings and regular garbage disposal in the river has led to pollution of the river.”

While levying allegations on the Vadodara Mahanagar Seva Sadan, he added that they were polluting the river by discharging sewage water. The National Green Tribunal, eventually, in its order, directed for the satellite mapping of illegal construction and an inquiry into the dumping of waste in the river bed. In concert, the Tribunal also added that efforts should be made to ensure that the water remains clean and discharge of polluted water is brought to a halt.