Iqbal Ahmad son of Ismail and Ors. v. Deputy Director of Cosolidation and Ors. Country/Territory India Type of court National - higher court Date Aug 30, 2007 Source UNEP, InforMEA Court name High Court of Allahabad Judge Srivastava., S.N. Reference number 2008 (1) AWC 630 Language English Subject Water Keyword Water desalination Water rights Freshwater resources management Abstract The present case is dealing with protection of village water bodies and maintenance of water channels, water bodies, Ponds, Tanks, Pokhar, Talab etc. The Constitution states that it is the responsibility of the State to protect environment, safeguard forest and wild life of the country and take all effective steps to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life and to have compassion for living creatures. Under Section 4 read with Section 117 of U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 certain lands including tank ponds, water channels etc. were vested in Gaon Sabha and a duty was cast on State as well all the authorities-instrumentalities of State to maintain such water bodies including ponds, lakes Pokhar etc. This Court vide order dated 25.2.2005, enjoined the State Government to make a thorough survey of each village of each District throughout the State of U.P. in respect of forests, tanks, ponds and Garhi, water channels and riverbed etc on the basis of the revenue records of the date of vesting under the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act, 1950, 1st July 1952 to pinpoint the status thereof by constituting a special investigation team. A Committee carried thorough survey of all villages, seeking out the land recorded in the revenue record on the date of vesting as forests, fisheries, public wells, tanks and water channels, Pokhar, Garhi and identifying the constructions made on any part of such land and in case of encroachement effective steps should be taken to restore the land to its anti status quo stage. The Court is of the view that since digging works of 5200 tanks as officially claimed have already been completed by 31.3.2007, it is directed that the remaining occupants of such land if any, occupying water bodies of such land on which there was no Pucca construction, digging works must be completed within next three months. The Court specifies the authorities entitled to giving effect to the directions contained in this order. Full text COU-156085.pdf Website indiankanoon.org