Video : GITS Dabok Under Fire for Allegedly Being Built Over Traditional Talab, Raises Environmental and Legal Alarms

Locals Accuse Geetanjali Institute of Technical Studies of Polluting Historic Water Body in Udaipur

UDAIPUR — The Geetanjali Institute of Technical Studies (GITS) in Dabok, Udaipur is once again at the center of a major controversy. Locals and environmental activists allege that the entire campus has been illegally constructed over a traditional talab (pond) — a natural water body historically used for water conservation in the arid region of Rajasthan.

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Recent reports and renewed public outrage stem from claims that the institute has severely polluted the Dabok Talab, with waste discharge from the campus allegedly entering the water body. This, according to residents, poses serious environmental and health risks, and highlights administrative negligence.

“This is not just illegal encroachment — it’s the destruction of a historic water source,” said a concerned resident. “The issue is ongoing, and despite earlier awareness, no corrective action has been taken.”

Constructed on a Natural Water Body

Locals assert that the land on which GITS now stands was historically recorded as a talab. Despite such warnings and visible environmental signs, construction reportedly went ahead without any significant regulatory checks.

Critics are calling this a textbook case of environmental disregard, alleging that the land-use classification was ignored or manipulated, and mandatory environmental clearances were not transparently obtained.

Violations of Environmental and Urban Laws

Environmental experts warn that constructing on talab land violates multiple legal provisions, including:

• Rajasthan Land Revenue Act

• Wetland Conservation Guidelines

• Urban Development and Environmental Clearance Norms

In Rajasthan, talabs serve as critical water reservoirs, helping to recharge groundwater and maintain ecological stability. Their destruction, especially through large-scale construction, can lead to irreversible damage to the local ecosystem, including biodiversity loss and water scarcity.

The resurfacing of this issue — despite being highlighted in the past — has raised troubling questions about administrative oversight, land-use planning, and the enforcement of environmental regulations.

Demand for Immediate Investigation

The situation has prompted community members, environmental groups, and legal activists to urge the Rajasthan government, Revenue Department, and State Pollution Control Board to launch a comprehensive inquiry. They are calling for the public release of land records, construction approvals, and environmental assessments related to the GITS campus.

If violations are found, activists demand not only corrective measures but also accountability from institutional authorities and local government bodies that allowed such development to proceed.