NGT notices to collector, BMC over plea alleging decline of Lower Lake

Bhopal: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday issued notices to district collector, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other respondents over a petition alleging the ongoing degradation of the Lower Lake through discharge of untreated sewage, encroachments and dumping of garbage.The petition filed by environmental activist Rashid Noor Khan showed through pictures how the Lower Lake, which is part of the Bhoj Wetland, a Ramsar site, is under threat of ‘illegal activities'. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Harshwardhan Tiwari referred to worsening quality of water of the Lower Lake due to: Discharge of untreated sewage water; attempts to reduce area of the lake by dumping garbage, soil and construction material; illegal construction in the no-construction zone of 50 meters around the lake; and cutting of trees at the periphery of the lake.