court new – photo: istock Expansion The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken the conservation of water sources of the state seriously. A division bench of High Court Chief Justice Ravi Vijay Kumar Malimath and Justice Vishal Mishra has issued instructions to submit a report to the state government regarding the number of existing water bodies in the state and their condition. The next hearing on the petition has been fixed in the third week of January. Significantly, taking cognizance of the published news regarding encroachment in Madhotal pond located in Jabalpur, the High Court Instructions were given to conduct the hearing in the form of a public interest litigation. The Jugalpeeth, while conducting a preliminary hearing on the cognizance petition, issued notices to the non-applicants and sought answers. During the hearing of the petition, in the status report presented by the government, it was said that action is being taken to free the Madhotal pond from encroachment and the action will continue in the future. During the hearing, an application was presented regarding encroachment in other pond and lake located in Jabalpur. The Jugal Peeth has said in its order that the pond has become encroachment free, information has not been presented in this regard. Complaints and petitions are being filed for encroachment in water sources located in the state and use of their land for other purposes. In the larger public interest, the government should present the information about the state’s water source in the court. It should be ensured that the original form of the water source remains intact. ,