The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a fresh notice to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) following allegations of non-compliance with orders to remove illegal dairy farms. Despite a previous compliance report claiming the area was clear, the Tribunal was presented with evidence suggesting that unauthorized dairy activities continue to impact the ecologically sensitive Yamuna floodplains.
What Authorities Said
According to the sources’ Publics reports, the NGT Principal Bench, headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava, issued the notice during a hearing on an execution application. The application alleged that the DDA and DPCC failed to implement the recommendations of a joint committee as directed in an earlier order dated April 19, 2024.
The article states that a significant point of contention arose regarding a compliance report filed by the DPCC on July 23, 2025. While the DPCC’s report claimed that no dairy farms were currently operating in the Yamuna floodplains, the applicant provided photographic evidence to the Tribunal showing that these farms are still functional. Taking note of this discrepancy, the Tribunal has now impleaded the respondents and listed the matter for a detailed hearing on July 15, 2026.
What This Means for Residents
Based on the details provided in the report, the ongoing legal battle over the Yamuna floodplains has direct implications for Delhi Air Quality and water health:
- Pollution Levels: Unauthorized dairies in floodplain zones often contribute to high levels of ammonia and organic waste discharge into the river, which degrades the local ecosystem and can lead to foul odors in nearby residential clusters.
- Legal Accountability: The NGT’s refusal to accept the DPCC’s earlier report suggests a tightening of judicial oversight. This could lead to more aggressive field inspections and the eventual forced relocation of illegal units in the coming months.
- Environmental Restoration: The removal of these encroachments is part of a broader mandate to rejuvenate the Yamuna, which is vital for maintaining the water table and reducing the “dust bowl” effect often seen in dried-out floodplain areas.
The report highlights that the applicant, Gauri Maulekhi, has been directed to serve the respondents with the notice at least one week before the next scheduled hearing in July.
Why did the NGT issue notices to the DDA and DPCC?
The Tribunal issued the notices because of alleged non-compliance with an April 2024 order regarding the removal of illegal dairy farms from the Yamuna floodplains.
What was the conflict regarding the DPCC’s compliance report?
The DPCC filed a report in July 2025 stating that no illegal dairies existed in the floodplains, but the applicant provided photographic evidence proving they were still operational.
When is the next hearing for this case?
The matter has been listed for a further hearing on July 15, 2026, by the bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava.
What are the environmental concerns related to these illegal dairies?
The dairies are accused of operating in unauthorized zones, leading to the discharge of waste into the Yamuna and violating earlier environmental protection directives.
Nidhi Kapoor is an environmental journalist and air pollution monitoring expert with 8 years of experience. She specializes in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting air quality data to identify pollutant sources and their impact on public health. Through her investigative reporting, Nidhi develops insights and advocates for evidence-based solutions to reduce atmospheric contamination.
