Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports about dumping of solid waste in the Full Tank Level (FTL) area to facilitate illegal and unauthorised encroachments on the Kaliyasot reservoir land in Bhopal, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently constituted a joint committee which will visit the site and submit an action taken report.
As per the NGT orders, the joint committee will comprise the Bhopal Collector, a Central Pollution Control Board member, a senior scientist nominated by the MP State Pollution Control Board, and a representative of the Wetland Authority, Bhopal.
The joint committee has to submit the report within six weeks. The state PCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and logistic support.
The NGT has also issued notices to the Bhopal Collector, SDM (Kolar), Bhopal Municipal CorporationCommissioner, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
FTL refers to the area up to which a water body extends when filled. Media reports pointed out that in the Bhopal Master Plan of 2005, which is currently enforced, lands and forests up to 33 mts around the Kaliyasot reservoir are to be kept open for a green belt.
However, dumpers are allegedly being used to throw solid waste in the wetland’s FTL area, in an attempt to level it up to the surface. This is allegedly being done for the plotting and allotment of land of the catchment area, in complete violation of Wetland Rules, 2017, Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) 1974.
Likewise, media reports also mentioned that in the village of Mahua Kheda, within the FTL of the wetland of the Kerwa dam, the land has been filled up in the last month. A photo of the area was also circulated with the reports.
