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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that its earlier directions to remove illegal dairy activities from the Yamuna floodplains in Delhi have not been fully followed.
Observing that temporary cattle shelters and bovine animals were still found during recent inspections, the Tribunal directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to file an action taken report within six weeks. It also asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to conduct a fresh assessment and submit a new report within the same period. The order was passed by a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava while hearing an execution application seeking compliance with the Tribunal's April 19, 2024 order on illegal dairy farms operating on the Yamuna floodplains. The Tribunal noted that the DPCC's inspection reports dated June 15 and July 2, 2026, showed that although no permanent dairy structures were found, temporary cattle shelters, fodder, heaps of cattle dung and around 50-60 bovine animals were present in the floodplain area. The Tribunal said these findings showed that its earlier directions had not been complied with. The inspections covered the O-Zone near Mayur Vihar Phase-I, below the DND Flyway and areas near New Friends Colony. DPCC officials found temporary shelters for cattle at several places and stray bovine animals grazing in the floodplains. No owners or authorised representatives were present during the inspections. DPCC also informed the Tribunal that it had written to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), asking it to remove illegal encroachments and stray animals from the floodplain areas. The DDA informed the Tribunal that it had carried out demolition drives against unauthorised dairies. However, it said cattle owners were bringing the animals back after the encroachments were removed or keeping them under nearby flyovers. According to the DDA, the MCD's Animal Husbandry Department should impound such cattle. The Tribunal further observed that if cattle are being kept in violation of the Central Pollution Control Board's guidelines on the location of dairy farms, the DPCC should take appropriate action, including imposing environmental compensation on the violators wherever necessary. The NGT has directed the MCD to submit its action taken report within six weeks. It has also asked the DPCC to file a fresh report after considering the Tribunal's observations. The matter will next be heard on September 25, 2026. (ANI)
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