Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding encroachment of a waterbody in Salt Lake, Kolkata, 11/01/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of In Re. : ‘14 cottah Mahisbathan pond turns into field, BMC steps, in Kolkata, West Bengal' dated 11/01/2024.
The Original Application is being taken up suo motu in view of a news article published in ‘The Times of India’ on January 5, 2024 titled “14-cottah Mahisbathan pond turns into field, BMC steps in, Kolkata, West Bengal”. According to the news report the pond at Salt Lake has been filled up in a matter of a week to carry out constructions. Further, the water body has been filled up with waste and debris.
The matter required consideration since environmental questions are involved and directed notice to be issued to the Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, West Bengal; Principal Secretary, Department of Fisheries; West Bengal Pollution Control Board; Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and District Magistrate, North 24 Parganas. All the respondents have been directed to file their counter affidavits within four weeks and the next hearing of the case has been listed for February 7, 2024.