The East Kolkata Wetlands has once again come under the judicial scanner, with the Calcutta High Court on Monday sharply rebuking the state government over alleged large-scale illegal construction and land-filling activities in the ecologically sensitive zone.
Hearing a matter relating to unauthorised constructions and encroachments in the wetlands area, Justice Amrita Sinha expressed strong displeasure at what she described as administrative inaction despite repeated court directions. “Reports after reports are being filed in court, but there is no indication of work on the ground. I do not want further reports. I want to see physical action,” Justice Sinha observed at the outset of the hearing. The court was informed that as many as 505 illegal structures have been identified in and around the wetlands and are liable to demolition.
The judge made it clear that if the state fails to provide adequate infrastructure or police assistance for carrying out demolition drives, the court would consider directing deployment of paramilitary forces to execute the task. The authority entrusted with protecting the wetlands ~ the East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority ~ submitted that despite repeated requests to the district administration, including the District Magistrate, it has not received the necessary support to demolish illegal structures. Officials also faced stiff resistance from local residents while attempting to disconnect illegal electricity connections in areas such as Chowbaga. Observing that inability to handle protests cannot be an excuse, Justice Sinha remarked that if the concerned agency lacks the capacity to deal with resistance, it must seek assistance from other agencies. “If help is not forthcoming, I will pass orders for deployment of paramilitary forces. There is no other option,” she said.
The court further directed that the ministries of home affairs, housing and urban affairs, and environment be included as parties in the case. It also asked for submission of the relevant Supreme Court guidelines governing protection of wetlands at the next hearing. The wetlands, a Ramsar-recognised site and a vital ecological buffer for Kolkata, have long faced the threat of encroachment and illegal land conversion. The matter will be heard again on 16 March, when the court expects the state administration to demonstrate tangible steps taken on the ground to protect the wetlands. Legal observers believe that failure to show concrete action may pave the way for central intervention in safeguarding this invaluable environmental asset.