NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday sought responses from the Uttarakhand government and the National Biodiversity Authority after a plea alleged that the natural hot springs in the region were drying up.
A bench headed by judicial member Jawad Rahim issued notices to the Central Ground Water Authority and the Ministry of Water Resources and directed them to file their replies by April 6.
The notices were issued after a plea filed by Uttarakhand resident Pratibha Naithani alleged that despite previous orders of the tribunal, the state government had not taken measures to restore the natural springs.
“Despite directions dated November 7, the petitioner has learnt that the respondents, and more specifically the Uttarakhand government, has done nothing to protect and conserve the natural springs of the state of Uttarakhand,” read the petition.
Seeking directions for the conservation of the hot spring at the Gaurikund temple, the plea further sought, “Direct the respondents to formulate and implement the Watershed Management Strategy for the protection and conservation of Natural Springs of Uttarakhand region.”
The plea additionally highlighted that a study carried out by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology allegedly showed that the natural springs were becoming extinct due to lack of attention from the government.
