NGT Panel Finds Chemicals Injected Into Trees Near Bhopal Lake

A joint committee formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has submitted a report confirming that 8 to 10 million liters of sewage water are flowing into Bhopal's Lower Lake. This vital part of the Bhoj wetland faces degradation, with the committee finding evidence of chemical injection into nearby trees to induce wilting. The report highlighted that all seven trees on a specific plot in the buffer zone had been drilled and chemically treated, with five now dried.

While the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) claims to intercept much of the sewage, the NGT committee emphasizes the critical need for a 10 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) under the Amrit-2 scheme. The committee, comprising experts from various environmental bodies, visited the Lower Lake on May 25, 2026. They observed municipal solid waste accumulation and noted the BMC's intention to install screening arrangements to prevent waste from entering the lake.

The NGT's investigation was prompted by concerns over illegal encroachments, unauthorized constructions, and ecological damage. The Forest Department has initiated an internal inquiry into the damage to trees, acknowledging communication with the BMC's Tree Officer. The committee advocates for regular site inspections and timely installation of the proposed STP to ensure the protection of this Ramsar site, stressing coordinated departmental efforts.

The water quality of the Lower Lake shows dissolved oxygen at 5.43 mg/l, deemed satisfactory only for aquatic life. The committee also documented stone pitching work undertaken by the BMC, which they stated is for repairing existing structures on the lake's shoreline. The NGT has stressed the importance of installing the 10 MLD capacity STP under Amrit-2 in a time-bound manner.