Archive · 17 Sep 2026
NGT Slams Official Inaction Over Bhoj Wetland Encroachments
The National Green Tribunal is looking into illegal building and occupation around Bhopal’s Bhoj Wetland.
The tribunal said taking government land is especially serious because officials are supposed to protect it.
It questioned why authorities did not stop the encroachments earlier.
The tribunal also said government land cannot be treated like someone’s private family property.
Officials who allow illegal construction may need to be held responsible.
Authorities must measure and map the occupied areas.
They must also create a schedule to remove illegal encroachments.
A detailed report is due before the next hearing on October 6.
The National Green Tribunal called government-land encroachment a crime worse than robbery and dacoity.
The NGT questioned officials’ failure to protect public property and act against those enabling illegal occupation.
The proceedings concern encroachments on the Bhoj Wetland and other water bodies in Bhopal.
Authorities were directed to independently map encroachments and remove illegal occupations under a time-bound programme.
The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board must submit a detailed action-taken report before the October 6 hearing.
- Who
- The National Green Tribunal, government authorities, the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, and petitioners in the Bhoj Wetland cases.
- What
- The NGT questioned official inaction over encroachments and ordered mapping, verification, and time-bound removal of illegal occupations.
- When
- The observations were made on Wednesday; the next hearing is scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- The Bhoj Wetland and other water bodies in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- To protect government land and water bodies, remove illegal encroachments, and establish responsibility for official negligence.
- Tribunal
- National Green Tribunal, Central Zone Bench, Bhopal
- Main site
- Bhoj Wetland, Bhopal
- Required action
- Independent district-wise verification and mapping of encroachments
- Removal plan
- Authorities must prepare a time-bound programme to remove illegal occupation
- Interim report
- The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board submitted an interim action-taken report
- Next report
- A detailed report must be submitted before the next listing
- Next hearing
- October 6
- Forest encroachment data
- The tribunal cited approximately 5.46 lakh hectares of encroached forest land, according to data published in March 2025