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In a crackdown on illegal groundwater extraction, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has imposed a hefty fine of Rs 76.5 crore on 38 builders in Noida. The builders have been found guilty of illegally extracting groundwater through borewells. They have been given a 15-day deadline to deposit the fine amount.
Among the projects facing the maximum penalty, the Gaur City 2 project has been fined Rs 6.6 crore, while the Gaur City 1 project has been slapped with a Rs 4 crore fine. Other projects, including Galaxy Blue Sapphire, Ace Divino, Ajnara Homes, Apex Golf Avenue, and Ajnara Le Garden, are also facing substantial fines ranging from Rs 3.6 crore to Rs 1 crore.
This action comes after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) formed a district-level joint committee in July 2022 following a petition by environmentalists. The committee conducted a thorough screening of 63 residential projects in Greater Noida and Greater Noida West and found that 41 projects were illegally extracting groundwater through borewells. Only three projects had permission to use groundwater, while the remaining 38 did not.
Initially, the UPPCB issued notices to the builders, demanding them to pay 0.5% of the project cost as environmental compensation. However, receiving no response, the board has now escalated the penalties and issued notices requiring the 38 builders to pay a cumulative fine of Rs 76.5 crore within 15 days.
Furthermore, the UPPCB has initiated action under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, against 29 projects, and show-cause notices have been issued to the concerned builders. Illegal groundwater extraction poses a significant threat to the region's water resources and ecosystem. The UPPCB's strict actions aim to deter such violations and promote responsible water usage among builders and developers in Noida.
Illegal groundwater extraction can have several negative consequences on the environment, society, and economy. Over-extraction of groundwater can lead to the depletion of aquifers, which can take years or even decades to replenish. This can lead to a decline in the water table and a reduction in the availability of water for drinking, irrigation, and other uses.
Over-pumping of groundwater can cause the land to sink or subside. This can damage infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and pipelines and increase the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. Excessive pumping of groundwater can cause saltwater from nearby oceans or seas to intrude into coastal aquifers, making the water unsuitable for drinking and irrigation. Groundwater extraction can have adverse effects on the environment, such as the drying up of wetlands, loss of habitat for aquatic species, and reduction in river flow.
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