Wetlands: India

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This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content.

Johads

Are `johads' wetlands?

The Times of India, Aug 03 2016

Are `johads' wetlands: Delhi to Centre 

Responding to a National Green Tribunal or der on identifying and notify ing wetlands by all states and UTs, Delhi government has written to the environment ministry to clarify whether “johads“ are wetlands. Most waterbodies in the city's reve nue records are labelled jo hads. After the clarification, the government may consider notifying some johads as “wetlands“, which means they would be conserved and their status or land use cannot be changed.

The notification list will be prepared only once the ownership status of the water r bodies is verified, officials told TOI. As of now, the government has sent a list of five lakes -four under Delhi Development Authority , and one under MCD for notification to MoEFCC. These include Purana Qila lake near the zoo, Bhalswa, Hauz Khas in south Delhi and Naini lake in Model Town.

“Many johads have no water any more. They are differ ent from ponds or lakes, and are not mentioned as wetlands in the rules,“ said SD Singh, the nodal officer for waterbodies.

Johads are mainly check dams built for rainwater harvesting, many of them ancient, officials said.

“On a rough estimate, there are more than 800 water bodies in the city . Some of them are just depressions. But if revived they can recharge ground water levels, stop flooding and revive the entire ecological system of an area,“ added Singh.

The government is also considering a nodal agency for wetlands but the department hasn't been finalized yet. As of now waterbodies are scattered under DDA, MCD, Delhi Jal Board and others. Under the wetland rules 2010, several activities are restricted on wetlands including discharge of effluents, encroachment of the catchment, setting up industries, dumping of solid waste or dredging.

Meanwhile, the high level committee on waterbodies headed by PWD minister Satyendra Jain is planning to take up the revival of ten wetlands this monsoon mainly to ensure they are viable recharge points.

These include two wetlands in Dwarka sector 20 and sector 22, Najafgarh, Mundhela Khurd, Dhansa, Isapur, Malikpur and others.

These will be excavated for better recharge and cleared of solid waste.