DPCC finds encroachments but no illegal permanent dairies on Yamuna floodplains

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has submitted a status report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stating that no illegal permanent dairy farms were found on the Yamuna floodplains near Mayur Vihar Phase-1 and New Friends Colony. However, the environmental body admitted that several encroachments, including jhuggis and temporary animal shelters, currently exist on the site.

The status report, dated July 10, was prepared after the DPCC conducted physical inspections of the "O-zone" area of the floodplains. These inspections took place on June 15 and June 19 below the DND flyover toll booth in Mayur Vihar Phase-1, and on July 2 near New Friends Colony. The inspections were initiated following allegations that illegal dairy farms were operating in these ecologically sensitive zones.

During the visits to Mayur Vihar, inspectors did not find any permanent dairy structures. Instead, they observed multiple scattered jhuggis and temporary animal shelters containing fodder. The report noted that some cattle were tied to the ground with wooden pegs. No operators or owners were found near these temporary shelters at the time of the inspection, though 50 to 60 bovine animals were seen grazing in the nearby grasslands.

According to the DPCC report, local jhuggi residents stated that the cattle belonged to cattlemen residing in Chak Chilla village in Mayur Vihar.

A similar situation was recorded during the July 2 inspection near New Friends Colony. The committee found no permanent dairy structures at this location, but documented temporary shelters housing cattle with no owners present, alongside other grazing cattle.

To address the violations, the DPCC has sent official letters to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The committee has requested the DDA to take action to remove the grazing animals and clear the unauthorized encroachments from the floodplains.