On Friday, the National Green Tribunal observed that the “night market is causing pollution to the water body and also causing noise and air pollution.”
The NGT ordered formation of a joint committee including the Principal Chief Conservation of Forest, Rajasthan; Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and Collector, Jaipur that must submit a report within one month after visiting the site. The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has been made the nodal agency in this matter.
Officials from JMC-Heritage said that on Friday, the Night Market was removed for the weekends of July 22-23 and July 29-30, as the G20 summit will be held next weekend. In November, weekly night market on Saturday-Sunday was started at Jal Mahal by JMC Heritage to promote night tourism in Jaipur. The Night Market which is set up at the sail of Jal Mahal blocks the view of the iconic monument due to temporary structures set up for the market.
“For the G20 summit, several delegates will be visiting, and the Night Market has been removed for two weekends as they will be visiting the different forts in Jaipur and Jal Mahal too. We will study the NGT order and will follow it completely, but as a tender document has been signed, we have to take legal opinion and comply with the orders of the court,” said Sher Singh Chaudhary, executive engineer headquarters with JMC Heritage.
The NGT order states, “In the course of holding night market, untreated effluent is being discharged in Jal Mahal Lake polluting its water. Noise and air pollution is also being caused by the operators.”
Vaibhav Pancholy, an environmentalist said, “The operation of night market is illegal from very inception, no alarm was raised to forest department while starting the operation at the sail of Jal Mahal. The water body around the monument which falls in the eco sensitive zone of Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary is being polluted and has become hazardous for wildlife and birds.”
