The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, has issued notice on a plea seeking directions for the preparation of a comprehensive National River Atlas of India, encompassing not only major rivers but also Perennial, seasonal and ephemeral river channels that have disappeared from official records.
A Bench comprising Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member, was hearing an original application filed by a river conservation activist popularly known as the “River Man of India”. The application highlights that several rivers recorded in British-era Gazetteers and historical irrigation documents have gradually vanished from official maps, leading to their reclassification as drains or vacant land. According to the plea, this administrative erasure has facilitated encroachments, unregulated construction and obstruction of natural drainage systems.
The applicant contends that the existing River Basin Atlas of India (2012) prepared by the Central Water Commission and ISRO is outdated, basin-level and non-enforceable, and lacks river-wise, corridor-specific and cadastral-level mapping required for governance, flood prevention and environmental enforcement. It was argued that the absence of an updated and binding river atlas has contributed to recent flood disasters, as natural water channels tend to reclaim their historical paths during extreme rainfall events.
Seeking constitutional protection under Articles 21, 48A and 51A(g), along with the public trust doctrine and the precautionary principle, the applicant urged that preparation of a National River Atlas should be treated as a prerequisite for all urban development and infrastructure projects. It was further prayed that once prepared, the Atlas should be binding on all authorities, including municipal bodies, state departments and central ministries.
Taking note of the submissions, the Tribunal issued notice to the Ministry of Jal Shakti and other respondents, directing them to file their replies by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed for further consideration on 17 March 2026.
Appearances
Mr. Panshul Chandra, Advocate for Applicant
