Responding to a set of PILs seeking an inquiry into encroachment and cleanliness of water bodies in Ranchi, Jharkhand High Court today has sought the state government’s reply explaining the action taken by it.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay  Kumar Mishra directed the concerned state government departments to file counter affidavit mentioning fact sheets on how many ponds, rivers, and dams were there thirty years ago; how many of them exist now; and what measures were taken to maintain their cleanliness and environment protection.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra was hearing a bunch of PILs and hearing the pleas of the petitioners, fixed March 22 to hear the case.

The court has sought a reply from Ranchi Municipal Corporation and steps taken by it to increase the strength of its manpower.

The petitioner advocate Khushbu Kataruka informed the court that in 2928 and 1932, the map of Ranchi was revised. In the state, there were nearly 10,000 ponds. Now, 7,860 ponds were existing.

In 1928, the Ranchi district had nearly 900 ponds. Now, only 280 were alive.

In all, 270 of the total 228 ponds were there in Ranchi urban area. Now only 42 ponds were visible.

The most terrifying reality is the water of sewage and drains were flooding the water of these surviving water bodies causing death and destruction of flora and fauna.

These narratives based on records activated the bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra who directed Ranchi Municipal Corporation to explain its stand on these facts.