The Bombay High Court yesterday said all collectors, if required, can stop marriages and other functions that could waste water in drought-affected Marathwada and Vidarbha regions

The Bombay High Court yesterday said all collectors, if required, can stop marriages and other functions that could waste water in drought-affected Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.

“Gardens and lawns should be given water only as much as they require for the survival of trees. There should be no wastage of water and if required, collectors and other officers should stop functions that will waste water,” observed justices VM Kanade and MS Karnik.

The High Court was hearing a public interest litigation on drought-affected areas in the state.

State advocate general Rohit Deo told the bench that although the state has not declared drought, everything was done considering drought-like conditions. Water is supplied to all the areas via tankers, he said.

The court asked the state if water from the Ujjaini dam can be supplied to the Jaykwadi dam that supplied water to Marathwada, where the water levels have gone down drastically. “Make sure you supply water to all the affected people by tankers,” said Justice Kanade.

The court was also told by the petitioners that there was a need to monitor tankers as water has become precious and directed that every tanker should be installed with GPS.

“Don’t unnecessarily waste water. You can stop functions, like marriages, if required, as they waste a lot of water. Supply water to gardens only as much as is required for the survival of plants,” directed Justice Kanade.