Green activist files NGT plea over illegal wetland conversion in East Kolkata Wetlands

KOLKATA: An application has been filed before the Eastern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), alleging illegal filling, conversion, and commercial exploitation of wetlands in Karimpur Mouza under Narendrapur Police Station in South 24 Parganas. The wetlands, part of the sprawling East Kolkata Wetlands, is a Ramsar site.

The application was filed by a green activist following a TOI report that revealed over two dozen large warehouses and a network of roads in EKW, a protected site where land use conversion is prohibited. In a devastating fire that engulfed two such sheds, at least 27 persons were burnt alive. The EKWMA confirmed that they did not give permission for construction of the sheds from which e-commerce, auto servicing, and plywood warehouses operated.


The applicant sought directions to safeguard wetlands from encroachment, contamination, and pollution; to immediately stop construction and filling activities in the area; and to order demolition and removal of illegal constructions, subject to findings of a joint committee and a demarcation exercise. The plea seeks assessment and imposition of environmental compensation on private parties on the “polluter pays” principle, and time-bound ecological restoration of the filled-up wetland areas, including removal of debris and revival of natural hydrology.

After hearing the applicant, the Tribunal observed that the issues raise substantial questions relating to the environment arising out of implementation of enactments listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act. The Tribunal ordered notices to be issued to the respondents. The matter will be heard on April 8, 2026.