Bhopal's Bhoj Wetland Ramsar Status Under Scrutiny Amid Encroachments, NGT Orders Wetland Mapping Across Three States
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Continued inaction against encroachments over the last five years in the Bhoj Wetland could prompt a move to seek withdrawal of its Ramsar Site status, including that of Bhopal's iconic Upper Lake (Bhojtal). Dr Subhash C Pandey, applicant in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) case and a member of the survey committee, told Free Press that if the encroachment situation is…
Bhopal's Bhoj Wetland, a Ramsar Site of international importance since 2002, faces scrutiny over encroachments that have persisted for five years. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh to map and document wetlands within three months. Dr Subhash C Pandey, a member of the survey committee, has threatened to seek the removal of Bhoj Wetland from the Ramsar List if encroachments continue unchecked.
The tribunal has emphasized the importance of Khasra details, GIS mapping, and ecological characteristics in the inventory of wetlands. Activities that damage the wetland, such as reducing water inflow or altering shorelines, are prohibited. The NGT has also directed authorities to establish continuous monitoring mechanisms to prevent encroachments and violations. The matter of Kaliasot Dam remains pending, with a hearing scheduled for January 7, 2027.
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