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The National Green Tribunal ordered the state to eliminate the remaining 72 illegal structures on the Bhoj wetland, officially demarcate its protected area and stop untreated discharges. This compels all government agencies to enforce the wetland rules, safeguarding the ecosystem and ensuring compliance by local residents and developers.
The Kerala High Court has directed the Authorised Officer to decide the petitioner’s pending Form 6 application under Section 27A of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act within two months of receiving the certified copy of this judgment. This ruling enforces statutory timelines for administrative action in environmental land protection cases, holding public officials accountable for undue delay in processing applications that affect agricultural land rights.
NGT holds that construction on a listed wetland without environmental clearance violates Wetland Rules 2017 and EIA Notification 2006, directing NHAI to restore the damaged pond within six months. The ruling reinforces wetland protection norms and sets a precedent for infrastructure projects encroaching on ecologically sensitive zones.
National Green Tribunal clarifies that environmental tribunals lack jurisdiction to adjudicate title disputes over wetlands; such matters rest solely with revenue and civil courts.
National Green Tribunal holds that public authorities cannot remain passive toward encroachments on wetlands; custodianship of state land imposes non-delegable duty to act.