Identify Violators, Initiate Action & Cleanup Site: NGT

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday directed the Bhopal collector, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) and Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) to trace people violating environmental norms by dumping waste and debris in the catchment area of Kerwa Dam.

The green tribunal also asked authorities to take strict action against the violators and assess environmental compensation to be imposed on them.

The tribunal further noted that the Bhoj Wetland is a Ramsar-declared sensitive wetland and it is the constitutional duty of the state to protect it. The directive came while hearing a petition filed by green activist Rashid Noor Khan.

The NGT also instructed BMC to immediately remove the debris dumped within the Full Tank Level (FTL) of the Kerwa Dam. The cost of removal is to be recovered from the violators and an action-taken report (ATR) must be submitted within two weeks, said the green body.

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A section of the media has published reports on illegal dumping of debris, gravel, murram and black soil in the Kerwa Dam catchment area for land-leveling purposes.

Petitioner Rashid Noor Khan said, “According to the Bhopal Master Plan 2005, a 33-meter area around the reservoir should be preserved as a green belt. However, land is being leveled by dumping gravel and black soil to illegally develop plots in the area. Based on media reports, I approached the NGT and sought its intervention.”

Advocate Harshvardhan Tiwari, who appeared on behalf of the petitioner, said, “The NGT has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks. It has directed the Bhopal collector, MPPCB and BMC officials to identify those involved in illegal dumping of debris and waste in the Kerwa catchment area.”

A section of the media has published reports on illegal dumping of debris, gravel, murram and black soil in the Kerwa Dam catchment area for land-leveling purposes.