Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding exploitation of East Kolkata Wetland, West Bengal, 27/05/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Subhas Datta Vs State of West Bengal & Others dated 27/05/2019 regarding exploitation of East Kolkata Wetland, to the detriment of the environment and ecology. Subhas Datta had conducted a survey that revealed large number of constructions that have sprung up within the said area for different purposes which includes commercial/ industrial and other activities that are deleterious to the water body in violation of the East Kolkata Wetland (Conservation and Management) Act, 2006 and rules framed thereunder. Another aspect raised was the dumping of solid waste within the East Kolkata Wetland area and the setting up of a large number of plastic reprocessing units in the Bantala, Basanti High Way Road side areas, in violation of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018. The leather industries are being operated with brick built ovens and other make-shift structures under the open sky causing heavy air as well as water pollution. The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation has also been dumping its solid waste on the wetlands at Mollar Bheri.
The East Kolkata Wetland Authority and the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation has been directed to take urgent steps to put up fencing around the dumping area around the Mollar Bheri to prevent leachate and slurry. The Tribunal also directed the constitution of a Committee to consider the various aspects of the matter for which purpose physical inspection of the entire Kolkata Wetland Area shall be carried out to verify on the present situation prevailing in the wetlands. Three months time has been granted for the purpose of completing the entire exercise and submission of report.