3 weeks ago
Bombay High Court Demands 'Deeds, Not Letters' on Charkop Lake
In Mumbai, there is a natural lake in a place called Charkop, in the Kandivali area.
Buildings and piles of garbage that should not be there have grown up around the lake, and they are hurting it and the mangrove trees nearby.
Mangroves are special trees that grow near water and help protect the coast.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the city's local government body, asked the Bombay High Court to help clean up the lake.
The Bombay High Court is a very important court that settles big legal disputes.
In July, the court told a government official called the District Collector to remove the illegal structures and garbage.
But after 21 days, the court felt the official had only written letters and had not done the actual work.
The court said, "We want to see deeds and not letters," and warned that the collector might be moved to a different job.
The court also asked the collector to come back on August 14 to explain what he has done.
Now everyone is waiting to see if the lake and mangroves will finally be protected.
The Bombay High Court criticised the Mumbai Suburban District Collector for failing to act against encroachments around the natural lake at Charkop, Kandivali (West), 21 days after its July 21 directions.
"We want to see deeds and not letters," the bench told the state government, noting the collector's office had "hardly moved" beyond issuing letters to officials.
The court warned it could ask the state government to transfer the collector and appoint a more efficient officer if its directions were not implemented.
The BMC, which filed the petition for conservation and beautification of the lake, showed photographs of its cleaning work, which the bench called an "amazing improvement."
The court directed the collector to appear in person on August 14 after he sent the deputy collector instead, citing a pre-scheduled meeting.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad, the Mumbai Suburban District Collector, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
- What
- The court criticised the collector for failing to act against encroachments around the Charkop natural lake, warned it could recommend his transfer, and directed him to appear on August 14.
- Where
- A natural lake at Charkop Sector 7, Kandivali (West), Mumbai.
- When
- Tuesday, August 11, 2026, about 21 days after the court's July 21 order to remove the encroachments.
- Why
- To ensure removal of illegal structures and garbage that are damaging the lake and nearby mangroves so conservation and beautification work can proceed.
Key facts
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Bench
- Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad
- Petitioner
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
- Location
- Charkop Sector 7, Kandivali (West), Mumbai
- Garbage Blockage
- 80 percent of the pond, noted by the court on July 21
- Mangrove Buffer Zone
- Lake falls within the 50-metre buffer zone of mangroves
- Next Appearance
- District Collector directed to appear on August 14
- BMC Proposal
- Construction of a gabion wall to protect the lake
Quotes
Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge
Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court
“"What did you do for 21 days? You have only issued letters,"”
freepressjournal.in
“"We want to see deeds and not letters,"”
freepressjournal.in











