<span style="color: #222222;">The National Green Tribunal has today directed Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to prevent illegal extraction of groundwater for commercial purposes and seal unauthorised borewells as also recover compensation on polluter pays principle from those who have operated them.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">   </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">A bench headed by NGT Chairperson justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, in a hearing through video conferencing, also asked the DJB to assess damage to the environment.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The tribunal passed the order after perusing a report from Deputy Commissioner, South and DJB on a plea filed by city resident Nand Kumar alleging illegal extraction of ground water at Mayapuri for commercial purposes.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">As per the DJB report, out of 141 illegal borewells identified, only four have been sealed and 137 are</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">still continuing.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The green panel sought a compliance report by July 31 and posted the matter for hearing on August 17.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Earlier,the NGT had directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to coordinate with concerned officials to ensure action against those operating illegal bore wells so as to protect groundwater.</span><br />