NGT Fines Bhopal Civic Body ₹20,000
NGT imposes fine on Bhopal Municipal Corporation for non-compliance. Bhoj Wetland encroachments continue.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for failing to comply with its directions regarding the Bhoj Wetland encroachment case.
The case, which was heard by the NGT's Central Zone Bench on July 9, involves allegations of widespread illegal encroachments, unauthorised constructions, and waste dumping within the protected Bhoj Wetland.
The petition, filed by environmentalist Rashid Noor Khan, claims that these activities are in violation of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, and have caused ecological degradation to the Ramsar-listed wetland.
Despite repeated directions from the NGT, the BMC has failed to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) or reply to the petition. The Tribunal has expressed displeasure over the civic body's non-compliance and has listed the matter for further hearing on July 22.
A district-level task force was constituted to demarcate and remove illegal encroachments around the Upper Lake, and identified 347 illegal structures during a demarcation drive launched on February 25. However, only 57 structures have been demolished, leaving 290 encroachments still standing.
The petitioner has alleged that the BMC is shielding certain encroachers by citing rules that treat constructions built before March 16, 2022, as legal. He has urged authorities to take impartial action against all illegal structures, stating that protecting the Bhoj Wetland is a collective responsibility.
The Bhoj Wetland is a critical source of drinking water for Bhopal, and its protection is essential for the city's ecosystem. The NGT's decision to impose a fine on the BMC is a significant step towards ensuring that the civic body takes concrete actions to address the issue of encroachments and protect the wetland.
The case highlights the need for effective enforcement of environmental regulations and the importance of protecting sensitive ecosystems like the Bhoj Wetland.
The NGT's order is a reminder that the protection of the environment is a collective responsibility, and that all stakeholders, including government agencies and citizens, must work together to ensure that our natural resources are preserved for future generations.
In conclusion, the NGT's decision to fine the BMC is a significant development in the Bhoj Wetland encroachment case, and it remains to be seen how the civic body will respond to the Tribunal's directions. The case is a testament to the importance of environmental protection and the need for effective enforcement of regulations to preserve our natural resources.
