What happened: NGT notice on amended Ganga floodplain rules
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued notice to the Union government on a petition challenging a Jal Shakti Ministry amendment affecting how the Ganga’s floodplains are defined and zoned for construction-related regulation.
The NGT bench was headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and included expert member Afroz Ahmad. The NGT asked the government and other respondents to file replies and scheduled the matter for October 27. The NGT clarified that it would not stay the amendment while the case was pending.
The petition was filed by environmentalist Amit Kumar. Amit Kumar argued that the amendment removed the “construction-free zone” label on Ganga floodplains and redefined what qualifies as a floodplain, changing the no-construction framework set out in an earlier 2016 order.
Background and earlier positions cited by the petitioner
Amit Kumar’s challenge is anchored in an earlier 2016 order that set out construction-related restrictions tied to the Ganga’s floodplains. Amit Kumar argued that the Jal Shakti Ministry amendment altered the no-construction zone described in the 2016 order.
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