Punjab Directions for Sustainable Management of Ponds, 2025

EXTRAORDINARY Published by Authority CHANDIGARH, THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 (PAUSA19, 1946 SAKA) GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB PUNJAB WATER REGULATION & DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NOTIFICATION The 9th January, 2025 “PUNJAB DIRECTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF PONDS” No. 177255/PWRDA-PWRD0GENL/57/2023-O/o SECY/2583.–Whereas, the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal passed an order dated 10.05.2019 (available on www.pwrda.punjab.gov.in) directing all States and UTs to review the existing framework of restoration of all the water bodies by preparing an appropriate action plan. And whereas, in compliance thereof, the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Punjab issued the “Action Plan for Rejuvenation of Ponds” dated 31.03.2020 (hereinafter “Action Plan, 2020”) (available on www.pwrda.punjab.gov.in). And whereas, the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court passed an order dated 13.08.2024 in CWP No. 25373 of 2022 (available on www.pwrda.punjab.gov.in). And whereas, the Draft Directions, titled the ‘Punjab Directions for Sustainable Management of Ponds,’ issued by the Authority were published on the website www.pwrda.punjab.gov.in and were thus made available to the public on the said website. The primary objective of these Directions is to ensure the sustainable management of ponds, align with the Action Plan, 2020 and foster a participatory approach involving stake holders in pond rejuvenation efforts. And whereas, a notice was issued in accordance with the provisions of the sub-section 3 and 4 of Section 15 of the Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Act, 2020 in the newspapers, namely Punjabi Tribune and The Hindustan Times on the 27th of November, 2024 inviting objections from all persons, likely to be affected, within one month from date of publication in the newspapers. Objections/comments were also invited from the Ex-officio members of the Advisory Committee. And whereas, the objection received has been considered by the Authority. Now therefore, in the exercise of powers conferred under Section 15(2) of the Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Act, 2020 and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority hereby issues the following Directions: 112 PUNJAB GOVT.GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 9, 2025 (PAUSA 19, 1946 SAKA) 1. SHORT TITLE, COMMENCEMENT AND EXTENT A. These Directions may be called the ‘Punjab Directions for Sustainable Management of Ponds, 2025’. B. These shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. C. These shall extend to the whole of the State of Punjab. 2. SUSTAINABLEMANAGEMENTOFPONDS A. The Government of Punjab shall implement all aspects of the Action Plan, 2020 in a time bound manner as provided therein. Each Department, Board and Body shall be responsible for the implementation of the Action Plan ,2020 as laid down in Chapter 2 thereof; and B. The implementation shall be monitored regularly as per paragraph 5.2 of the Action Plan, 2020 and, the progress report of implementation of the Action Plan, 2020 as approved by the State Apex Committee shall be submitted to the Authority every quarter by the Government. SECRETARY Punjab Water Regulation & Development Authority