Home / Environment / Activists Warned NGT of Wetland Encroachment Before Fire
Activists Warned NGT of Wetland Encroachment Before Fire
20 Feb
Summary
- Illegal warehouses in West Bengal's wetlands caused a fatal fire.
- Activists had previously alerted the National Green Tribunal about encroachments.
- NGT orders to remove illegal constructions were not fully implemented.
A catastrophic fire at two illegal warehouses in Anandapur, West Bengal, resulted in 25 fatalities last month. This tragedy has brought to light prior warnings issued to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding rampant illegal constructions within the ecologically significant East Kolkata Wetlands.
In 2023, an activist filed a petition with the NGT alleging the filling and sale of nearly 88.52 acres of the wetlands for residential plots, implicating land sharks and colluding officials. The NGT formed a committee, which reported approximately 600 illegal constructions, leading to demolition orders that remained largely unexecuted.
Subsequently, in September 2024, another complaint was filed with the NGT concerning illegal construction and commercial exploitation in the same area, specifically within the East Kolkata Wetlands Conservation area. The NGT then took suo motu cognizance and ordered the removal of all encroachments and constructions, but local residents stated that no significant action was taken.
Environmentalists emphasize the critical role of these wetlands as Kolkata's 'kidneys,' essential for rainwater harvesting and acting as a carbon sink. The ongoing degradation through illegal filling and concretisation poses severe threats to air quality and ecological balance. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 8.
