Kolkata, 9 December (H.S.):

Taking a tough stand against rampant illegal constructions in the city’s ecologically sensitive wetlands, the Calcutta High Court on Monday directed that no new unauthorized structure in the wetland zone should be granted electricity or water connections. The court emphasized that encroachments on protected wetland areas must not be extended any form of administrative benefit.

The order was issued by Justice Amrita Sinha while hearing a petition related to illegal construction in the East Kolkata Wetlands. The court also directed that detailed information, including land plot numbers of all protected wetland areas, must be published on the official website of the East Kolkata Wetlands Authority as well as in newspapers, so that citizens can easily identify the zones where construction is strictly prohibited.

Invoking the provisions of the East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Act, 2006, the court stated that stringent legal action can be taken against anyone violating the law by undertaking unauthorized constructions. The bench further ordered the publication of a comprehensive list of all restricted plots.

The High Court has instructed the concerned authorities to submit a detailed compliance report outlining all actions taken in this regard by February 23, the next date of hearing.

For several years, complaints have been rising over encroachments and illegal constructions in the East Kolkata Wetlands. These activities have severely disrupted the city’s natural drainage system once allowing rainwater to flow into the wetlands, but now forcing it back toward the city, aggravating waterlogging problems during monsoon seasons.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh