India, Aug. 28 -- The National Green Tribunal heard a challenge to an August 7, 2026 amendment that redefines Ganga floodplains and replaces the earlier construction-free mandate with softer, aspirational language.

Applicants say this weakens legal protection, fragments floodplain regulation, and violates prior river notifications and the Public Trust Doctrine, while the tribunal has sought responses from Union authorities.

Floodplain of the Ganga and its tributaries

The amendment notification dated August 7, 2026, issued by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (water resources) amending the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016 was challenged before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on August 25, 20...