Nagpur’s Vanishing Lakes Trigger Environmental Alarm, High Court Steps In

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court last week took suo motu cognisance of reports highlighting the disappearance and degradation of lakes across Nagpur city. The HC warned that the shrinking water bodies raise serious environmental and constitutional concerns linked to citizens' right to clean water and a healthy environment.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode converted media reports published in TOI into a suo motu PIL after noting the "grave environmental concern and public interest" involved in the matter.The court observed that Nagpur's lakes have historically played a crucial ecological role by maintaining environmental balance, supporting biodiversity, recharging groundwater, and regulating the city's microclimate. The bench noted that the lakes also acted as natural flood buffers and important open ecological spaces amid rapid urbanisation.Referring to information obtained under the Right to Information Act by social activist Abhay Kolarkar, the court recorded that Sanjay Gandhi Lake and Dobi Lake effectively disappeared from the official inventory of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). The civic body's records now recognise only 11 surviving lakes within city limits.The surviving lakes listed in municipal records include Ambazari, Futala, Sonegaon, Pandharabodi, Police Line Takli, Binaki Mangalwari, Naik, Gorewada, Sakkardara, Lendi Talao and Gandhi Sagar lakes. The court further noted that only five of these lakes currently remain under the jurisdiction of NMC, while others are controlled by different govt agencies.The bench observed that fragmented ownership and administrative control contributed to the lack of accountability and coordinated conservation efforts, accelerating deterioration of the lakes.Citing Supreme Court rulings in Subhash Kumar versus State of Bihar and Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action versus Union of India, the court said degradation of water bodies directly affects public health, environmental quality and access to clean water, thereby attracting constitutional protection under Article 21.Instead of issuing notices immediately, the court granted an opportunity to the Nagpur district collector and municipal commissioner to examine the issue and initiate corrective measures. Both authorities have been directed to conduct an inquiry and submit an action taken report before the Registrar (Judicial) within four months.The court disposed of the SMPIL with directives for urgent conservation measures to protect the city's remaining lakes from further decline.‘ONLY 11 LAKES OFFICIALLYSURVIVE WITHIN CITY LIMIT' HC took suo motu cognisance of reports on disappearing Nagpur lakesBench termed the issue a serious environmental and public interest concernSanjay Gandhi Lake and Dobi Lake have vanished from official civic recordsRTI disclosures show only 11 lakes now officially survive within city limitsCourt noted lakes are vital for groundwater recharge, biodiversity and flood controlJudges flagged fragmented control of lakes by multiple agencies as a major problemCourt linked lake degradation to citizens' right to clean water under Article 21Collector and NMC commissioner directed to conduct inquiry and take corrective stepsAuthorities must submit an action taken report within four monthsCase disposed of after directions, without issuing notices at this stage