The revenue department has categorically termed all constructions at Delapir pond site here as “unauthorized”. The department was responding to an application by a city-based NGO sent to the district administration regarding rampant encroachments at the pond site. The department said the site was registered as a “pond” in revenue records in 1914 and any construction there is illegal.
Spread across 1.965 hectares, the Delapir pond has been encroached upon by colonisers, land mafia and shopkeepers.
Pradeep Kumar, secretary of a city-based NGO, Jagar Jan Kalyaan, said, “We had submitted a memorandum to the district administration in January in connection with encroachments on Delapir pond and an application was also sent to the revenue department. The department has entered a response in the matter and stated that the area measuring around 1.965 hectares in Biharman Nagla is recorded as a ‘pond’ as per revenue records of 1914. The department, therefore, termed the constructions (encroachments) on the pond area as illegal.”
Kumar added, “The district administration and government departments that were made party into the complaint have taken cognizance of the matter and assured action in the case.”
The NGO had submitted a memorandum to district magistrate Nitin Kumar, seeking action in connection with the encroachment on Delapir pond.
Bareilly SDM Ishan Pratap Singh said, “We have taken cognizance in the case and relevant action will be taken up soon.”
In a similar case relating to an encroachment on what was a pond in Agra, the high court had ordered in September 2019, that the site was recorded as a “pond” in revenue records before 1951 and that it should be brought into its original shape. Any kind of encroachment there should be removed.
The HC order further said, “All collectors of each district in the state shall entrust the additional district magistrate (finance and revenue) concerned to make a list of ponds in existing revenue records in the year 1951-52. He shall also prepare a list of ponds which are under encroachment, or in respect of which, lease has been granted. The collectors shall proceed to cancel the lease of these ponds and restore them in accordance with law and directions issued.”