Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding conservation and management of East Kolkata Wetland area, West Bengal, 16/04/2021
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Subhas Datta Vs State of West Bengal & Others dated 16/04/2021. The matter related to conservation and management of East Kolkata Wetland area - to stop all prohibitory activities within the East Kolkata Wetland area; to restore all converted land to its original character or mode of use as envisaged under the East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Management ) Act, 2006 and to stop all illegal and polluting plastic, rubber, leather and tannery waste processing industries and, inter-alia, to take steps for re-locating the waste dumping ground from Mollar Bheri area which is within the East Kolkata Wetland.
The NGT in its previous order, December 22, 2020 had directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Environment Department, Govt. of West Bengal, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and East Kolkata Wetland Management Authority to file ‘Integrated Management Plan’ for East Kolkata Wetlands.
The Tribunal, thus, April 16, 2021 directed for the submission of the current status report before the next date of listing the case, June 24, 2021. The authorities have been directed to make an assessment of the compensation damage that may have been caused to the environment of East Kolkata Wetlands especially by solid waste disposal and leaching of effluents.