Jaipur, Feb. 14 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Central Zone Bench, Bhopal, has directed authorities in Jhalawar district to remove encroachments and undertake restoration of a water body following allegations of illegal construction, sewage discharge and dumping of solid waste. The order was passed by a bench comprising Judicial Member Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi while disposing of the petition raising concerns over encroachments and pollution affecting a pond in the district. Emphasising the constitutional duty to protect natural resources, the Tribunal reiterated that water bodies, ponds, lakes and wetlands are held in public trust by the State and cannot be encroached upon, states an official release. The NGT directed the district administration and municipal authorities to prevent any encroachment, untreated sewage discharge or dumping of garbage and plastic waste into the water body. Existing encroachments are to be removed in accordance with the law. The Municipal Corporation, Jhalawar, has been asked to prepare a time-bound restoration plan, while the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) will monitor compliance and initiate action, including environmental compensation, wherever violations are found. NGT also ordered installation of a piping system with a reflux valve within three months to prevent backflow of sewage from municipal drains into the sacred pond. Additionally, the Nagar Palika must submit a compliance report within six months....