Rajasthan High Court Orders Immediate Removal Of Encroachments Over Catchments Areas Disrupting Water Flow To Nevta Dam

Rajasthan High Court has taken serious note of encroachments on the Nalas (stream bed) and catchments areas and construction of pakka boundary walls for land demarcations in the village of Khatwada, resulting in stoppage/disruptions in the natural flow of water in the Nevta Dam.

The division bench of Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Maneesh Sharma directed the State authorities to immediately remove encroachments and constructions over the Nalas and catchments areas of Khatwada village, and the areas of Ramgarh and Kukas, after giving opportunity to the concerned land-owners to themselves provide access to the flow of water.

The Court also restricted Civil Courts and the Revenue Courts to entertain any civil suits relating to the catchment area. It was observed that the steps taken for such removals, shall be undertaken immediately in the background of approaching monsoons, and shall not be stopped in any manner without the Court's permission.

The Court considered that the State authorities had already sent notice to the concerned people, and directed publishing of such notices in the newspapers with option to the land owners to open the areas if any particular areas was required to be opened for natural flow of water. The concerned Tehsildar was also directed to issue notice to the concerned land owners.

The Court observed that while demarcation of agricultural lands was necessary, it could be done by other methods too. It was held that it was every citizen's responsibility to ensure that the catchment area to the nearby water bodies was not stopped by constructing pakka walls.

“We noticed that people buy agricultural lands and construct pakka boundary walls resulting in stopping the flow of water to the nearby water bodies during the rainy season. While demarcation of agricultural lands is necessary to avoid any friction in the society and among the agriculturists, at the same time, it is the responsibility of each citizen to see that the catchment area to the nearby water bodies, should not be stopped by constructing pakka boundary walls. So far as demarcation is concerned, the same can always be done by other methods also. Even if a boundary wall is to be constructed for certain reasons then too there should be adequate way at the lower side of the boundary wall so that water may continue to flow ahead.”

The matter is listed on August 5, 2026 for submission of a compliance report.

Title: Govindram v State of Rajasthan

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