DARBHANGA, March 26 -- Taking serious note of large-scale encroachment and pollution of ponds in Darbhanga, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata, has expressed strong displeasure over administrative inaction and directed the district magistrate (DM) of Darbhanga to appear personally at the next hearing.

The direction came during proceedings in the case Talab Bachao Abhiyan (TBA), Darbhanga vs State of Bihar, linked to Original Application No. 14/2025 (EZ).

The tribunal had earlier, on January 27, 2025, taken cognisance of allegations of encroachment and pollution of the Mon/Moin Pokhar-a natural water body spread across nearly 100 acres and connected to the Bagmati river-and issued notices to the authorities ...