The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a stern warning to the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for its persistent failure to address illegal encroachments and environmental degradation within the Bhoj Wetland, a Ramsar site of international significance. Despite multiple hearings over the past year, the municipal body has failed to submit a comprehensive action taken report (ATR), prompting the tribunal to demand a response within three weeks. A lifeline under siege: The matter, heard by Judicial Member Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and Expert Member Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi, highlights a deepening crisis for Bhopal’s primary water source. The Upper Lake, which provides potable water to over 12 lakh citizens, is currently being choked by unauthorised permanent constructions, indiscriminate waste dumping, and illegal land filling. The applicant alleged that these activities are intended to obstruct natural water flow and alter the wetland’s topography for personal and commercial gain. The Tribunal noted that such violations directly contravene the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. Ecological heritage at risk: The NGT emphasised the critical importance of the site, which spans 31 km square and serves as a vital habitat for biodiversity. The Bhoj Wetland serves as a critical ecological sanctuary, supporting a rich tapestry of avian biodiversity with more than 250 migratory bird species, including the iconic Sarus Crane and the rare Pallas’s Fish Eagle. Beyond its feathered inhabitants, the site provides a vital habitat for vulnerable wildlife, including over 15 distinct fish species, various turtles, and a diverse array of aquatic invertebrates.

 

This complex ecosystem is not merely a wildlife refuge but a cornerstone of regional climate stability, playing a fundamental role in regulating the local temperature and protecting the city’s future by actively preventing the depletion of essential groundwater reserves. The Tribunal pointed out that while 80% of the catchment area is agricultural, the increasing urban footprint and illegal commercial activities, such as resorts operating within protected zones, pose an immediate threat to the water quality and local ecosystem. Dissatisfaction with the BMC’s progress: The NGT expressed dissatisfaction with the BMC’s progress. While the civic body claimed that the removal of encroachments is a ‘continuing process’, the tribunal noted that essential reports on identification, demarcation, and ecological assessment, requested during hearings in November, December, and February, have yet to be filed. Interestingly, the applicant utilised the State Government’s own technology, the MP Kisan App and MP Bhoo Lekh portal, to provide a detailed list of Khasra numbers and specific locations of violators. Despite this precision, administrative action remains stalled. Three-week deadline: The NGT has now placed the BMC on notice, warning the corporation to comply with previous orders and submit a detailed action taken report including the status of buffer zone violations. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 9, 2026.