The National Green Tribunal has sought action- taken report from the Delhi and Haryana State governments over the declaration of Najafgarh as a wetland.

Key Facts :

• Wetlands are formed where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where the land is covered by water.
• The directions came following a plea moved by an NGO, Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage. The plea has claimed that despite the assurance of Haryana government that it would declare Najafgarh as a wetland, no steps have been taken to check encroachments.
• The government has also been alleged of planning to construct a check dam near Najafgarh lake to reclaim lands belonging to farmers.
• In 2016, the state government had submitted a brief document (a copy is with TOI) in NGT and the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF&CC), stating that 120.80 hectare in Kherki Majra Dhankot near Najafgarh lake is a wetland and will be duly notified as such by the state government.
• Farmers in the neighbouring villages claim that over 5,500 acre in eight villages — Dharampur, Momdheri, Daultabad, Kherki Majra, Dhankot, Chandu, Budhera and Makrola — remain flooded for most of the year, preventing them from cultivating the land.
• As per an estimate, the 7km-long Najafgarh Jheel, located at the Delhi-Haryana border, has a potential to provide about 100 million litres of potable water a day to south-west Delhi and Gurgaon.
• The Najafgarh lake and drain are also the only outlets for floodwaters from Gurgaon.
• The lake and marshes have also been an important habitat for many plant species and hosts over 280 bird species, including greater flamingos, sarus cranes and greater white pelicans.
• Najafgarh is an ecologically significant area as: a) serves as a habitat for several plant species and bird species such as Greater flamingos, sarus cranes and greater white pelican, b) acts as a major groundwater recharge zone for Delhi and Gurgaon, c) it is the only outlet for floodwater from Gurgaon.
• Environmentalists have raised concerns about the construction of the check-dam as it would destroy the ecology of the area.