Supreme Court to Hear Case on Alleged Encroachment of Darbhanga's Historic Ponds

The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case involving alleged encroachment on three historic water bodies in Darbhanga, Bihar. Petitioners claim that a government-led beautification project poses a threat to these lakes rather than preserving them. Locals contend the initiative amounts to encroachment dressed up as development. The case draws attention to a wider pattern of declining water bodies across Bihar over the years. Experts have called for stronger ecosystem protection and greater involvement of local communities in such decisions.