Post NGT verdict, hope for Hazaribag's Okni pond
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Hazaribag: City-based Hazaribagh Environment Protection Trust received favourable verdict from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the Okni pond case on Wednesday.
While hearing the case, Amit Sthalekar (judicial member) and expert member Arun Kumar Verma of the NGT, after examining investigation reports and facts presented by retired deputy development commissioner (DDC) Jai Gopal Rai on behalf of the trust, directed the DC to complete the Okni pond's beautification work, which was on hold since the case landed in court, by July 3, 2026.
The revival of the water body, spread over 14.62 acres, where garbage is dumped and drain water from the nearby mohalla emptied, would cost Rs 1.39cr.
In the case, the chief secretary of Jharkhand, Hazaribag municipal corporation, Hazaribag DC, and the ministry of forest were made parties on behalf of the organisation. A high-level committee inspected the site and submitted its report revealing scattered garbage, contaminated water, and discharge of drain water into the water body.
The Sadar circle officer also submitted a report, which stated that the mutation application, 2898/2024-25, of Shahnawaz Jameel, who claimed his right over the land, was rejected after inspecting the site and the old records, stating that it has been in public use for decades.
Rai said, "I took up this fight to save one of the oldest and biggest ponds in the city. The then DDC of Hazaribag and now Gumla DC Prerna Dixit (IAS), supported me in saving the pond from land sharks."
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