Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): In a significant development concerning protection of ecologically sensitive Bhoj Wetland, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the petitioner to identify encroachers and violators in the catchment area of Upper and Lower Lakes.
However, the petitioner, Rashid Noor Khan, has strongly objected, stating that the responsibility of identifying encroachments lies squarely with the state government and its agencies. “It is unfair, unreasonable and contrary to the principles of environmental justice to expect a private person to perform tasks that are the statutory duty of government bodies,” Khan said.
In his response to the NGT, Khan said that he is a responsible citizen seeking environmental justice but lacks access, authority and resources to carry out such extensive surveys. “Expecting a citizen to perform land surveys, analyse satellite imagery, or access government records is unrealistic,” he said.
The Bhoj Wetland, designated as a Ramsar site of international importance, spans approximately 31 square kilometers, and has seen widespread encroachments at various points around its perimeter. Identifying each encroacher requires coordination between multiple government agencies.
Advocate Harshwardhan Tiwari, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, stated that the state has established bodies for such tasks. “Departments like the Town and Country Planning, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), State Wetland Authority (SWA), Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Bhopal Collector are legally bound to monitor and act against such violations,” Tiwari said.
Khan clarified that his petition focused on curbing commercial activities in catchment zones of the Upper and Lower Lakes, not on conducting identification drives himself. “The NGT asking an individual to identify encroachers undermines the purpose of our regulatory framework,” he said.
Bhoj Wetland Case
* Site in Focus: Bhoj Wetland (Upper & Lower Lakes)
* Designation: Ramsar site of international importance
* Petitioner: Rashid Noor Khan
* Issue: Encroachments and commercial activities in catchment area
* NGT Action: Asks petitioner to identify encroachers
* Petitioner’s Stand: Duty lies with govt authorities, not private citizens
* Key Agencies: CPCB, MPPCB, SWA, BMC, Town & Country Planning, MoEF&CC
