Supreme Court Steps In to Protect Historic Ponds in Darbhanga from Beautification Project

The Supreme Court has agreed to intervene in a case concerning the alleged encroachment of three iconic water bodies in Darbhanga, Bihar, following a petition by a civil society group. The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has sought an explanation from the Bihar government over a beautification project that locals say threatens these historic ponds.

Darbhanga, located in the Mithilanchal region of northeastern Bihar, is known for its rich cultural heritage where lakes and ponds play a central role in community life. The three ponds in question—Ganga Sagar, Digghi, and Harahi—were built by local kings nearly a millennium ago and are now facing what petitioners describe as a slow death due to a beautification initiative by the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCO).

Locals and activists argue that the government's plan to fill parts of the ponds to construct kiosks, restaurants, and pavements amounts to encroachment in the guise of beautification. Eklavya Prasad, a water conservation expert, said the project is causing irreversible damage to the water bodies. The petitioners, a group of retired academics, environmentalists, and citizens under the banner of Talab Bachao Abhiyan (TBA), have asked for the removal of all encroachments and restoration of the ponds to their original positions as per maps from 1868 and 1960.

Narayan Chaudhary, head of TBA, highlighted the scale of the crisis: according to the District Gazetteer of 1964, Darbhanga had 350 ponds, but now fewer than 100 remain—a loss of 250 ponds in 60 years. He said the government itself is now filling historic ponds in violation of Wetland Rules and judicial orders. Official records show the three ponds span 253 bighas, but over 25% of this area is under encroachment.

Retired botany professor Vidya Nath Jha warned that filling parts of the ponds would destroy biodiversity and the natural self-cleaning capacity maintained by insects and aquatic life. The ponds have historically served as vital rainwater harvesting structures, recharging groundwater, mitigating floods, and providing water during droughts. Mithilanchal once had thousands of such ponds, but rapid loss is now leading to water crises.

Sayed Shamim Ahmad, a retired professor who mapped wetlands in 1980, noted that 108 wetlands hosting 88 bird species, including migratory ones, have declined by over 60%. He urged the government to prioritise preservation of water bodies. The concerns echo a broader trend seen across Bihar, as reflected in the 2025 water bodies census, which indicates a continued decline.

The Supreme Court's decision to take up the case marks a significant step, as it typically refrains from local issues. The court has asked the Bihar government to respond to the allegations, and the next hearing is awaited.