From Asola to Chhattarpur, records show how 6 forest waterbodies disappeared from Delhi’s map

The disclosure was made in a status report made available on Sunday. The matter arises from a suo motu case initiated by the NGT following a media report highlighting the disappearance of waterbodies across the National Capital.

According to the report, the missing waterbodies were noted during a verification exercise ordered by the tribunal to determine the actual condition of Delhi’s wetlands. The forest department said five of these lost sites lie in the South Forest Division, in areas such as Asola, Maidan Garhi, Shahurpur, and Chhattarpur, while one falls under the Central Division at Shastri Park.

A look at the 6 Delhi waterbodies that no longer exist

In Asola, the department reported that no trace of the listed waterbody remains. The ground-truthing did not match the revenue record details, as the department in its report noted “no waterbody is present in this Khasra, and this Khasra is min (Tatitama has not been done yet).”

According to the report, the missing waterbodies were noted during a verification exercise ordered by the tribunal to determine the actual condition of Delhi’s wetlands. (Wetland Authority of Delhi)

It means the site is only a part of the original land parcel, but its exact sub-plot boundaries have not yet been officially demarcated. According to officials, encroachments that once existed there had been removed and fencing installed “to prevent further encroachment.” The site, which originally spanned nearly 19,930 sq m, is now dry land with no visible depression or signs of standing water.

A similar finding was reported from Maidan Garhi, where a small pond measuring about 1,520 sq m has been entirely taken over by a farmhouse. The report states: “No waterbody currently exists here, and a complete waterbody has been encroached by a farmhouse.” The department said the matter had been referred to the District Task Force for removal of the encroachment, but action was pending.

In Shahurpur, a recorded wetland of roughly the same size has vanished beneath built-up structures belonging to the Raj Vidya Kendra complex. The report notes that “no waterbody currently exists here, and a complete waterbody has been encroached by a farmhouse,” describing the area as fully built over.

Two adjoining sites in Chhattarpur have met the same fate. The first, covering 9,490 sq m, has been replaced by an unauthorised housing cluster identified as Dr Ambedkar Colony (B-Block). The second, spread over 4,680 sq m, is occupied by a temple and a dharamshala. The department said a letter has been sent to the sub-divisional magistrate to remove these encroachments through the Special Task Force. Both have been categorically marked “waterbody does not exist” in the report.

Two adjoining sites in Chhattarpur have been categorically marked “waterbody does not exist” in the report. (Source: Wetland Authority of Delhi)

The only site outside the Southern Ridge listed as non-existent is at Shastri Park under the Central Forest Division. The department officials who inspected the area found the ground “dry, with no existing wetland seen,” and said fencing had been installed to secure the location.

In all six cases, the forest department has cited encroachment and unauthorised construction as the causes of disappearance.

8 of 22 remaining water bodies have shallow water

Among the remaining 22 water bodies, at least eight are described as being in “good condition but currently containing shallow water.” These include sites at Asola, Bhati Kalan, Maidan Garhi, Devli, Neb Sarai and Chhattarpur.

The report notes that some of these are seasonal, holding water only during the monsoon, while others are perennial but silted and shallow. According to forest department officials, “routine desilting and bunding are carried out before the rainy season each year to retain” what remains of these ponds and lakes.

This is not the first time that the issue has arisen. In December 2024, the Delhi State Wetland Authority informed the tribunal that only 631 out of 1,045 water bodies identified via revenue records were found on the ground, and only 43 out of 322 satellite-identified ones were located.