Kolkata, Several environmental organisations on Friday demanded an intensive inquiry into the alleged encroachment and illegal growth within formulation of the East Kolkata Wetlands , a Ramsar-listed wetland of world importance.
The save a matter to came days after a enormous fire broke out in two warehouses at Nazirabad locality of Anandapur save of dwelling in Kolkata’s southern fringe, claiming numerous lives. The facilities have been allegedly in-constructed violation of Ramsor options.
The problem modified into once raised on behalf of a pair of green teams, including Sabuj Mancha, Proyash, Basundhara, Cultural & Literary Society, East Kolkata Fisheries Association, amongst others.
Somendra Mohan Ghosh of Set up Rabindra Sarobar discussion board said a communication itemizing sure points has been despatched to East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority , highlighting that the wetland is protected below the Ramsar Convention, a global treaty.
The letter additionally expressed trouble over massive-scale growth and encroachment in violation of Ramsar options.
Pointing out areas equivalent to Nazirabad, the save a enormous fire broke out in two warehouses on January 26 fall within the sensitive and guarded zone of the East Kolkata Wetlands, environmentalist Naba Datta from Sabuj Mancha said water our bodies had been gradually remodeled into constructed-up areas inflicting grave risk to ambiance.
Ghosh, additionally linked to Sabuj Mancha, said, “Nazirabad is located in the peri-urban fringe of Kolkata, close to an offshoot of the Anandapur Canal, which flows through the designated Ramsar site. We want to know how large-scale construction and encroachment were allowed in violation of this agreement.
The letter by green activists raised concern over the widening of Nazirabad Road, alleging that the process led to the narrowing of nearly seven kilometres of the Anandapur Canal, which falls under the Ramsar-protected wetland system.
The canal has been gradually converted into built-up areas, including roads, warehouses and commercial establishments, Ghosh claimed.
The East Kolkata Wetlands comprise a vast and complex network of wetlands, fish ponds , canals and agricultural land that play a crucial role in wastewater treatment, flood control and livelihoods on the eastern fringe of Kolkata.
Activists argue that unchecked urban expansion threatens this fragile ecosystem.
Ghosh also pointed to what he described as serious inconsistencies in the official EKW maps, particularly in the naming of areas such as Gulshan Colony and Nazirabad.
He alleged that certain human settlements and commercial zones, including warehouses and factories, have emerged within Ramsar-designated areas through changes in nomenclature.
“We are demanding a transparent report from the Chief Technical Officer of EKWMA on how names of localities within the Ramsar site were altered, who authorised these changes, and why several areas do not appear in the latest official EKW maps,” he said.
The environmental groups have urged the authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the alleged encroachments, map discrepancies and violations of environmental norms, warning that continued degradation of the wetlands could have long-term ecological consequences for Kolkata and its surrounding regions.
There was no official response from the EKWMA to the points till the filing of the report.
During a visit to the fire-hit Nazirabad recently, Kolkata Mayor and Minister of Urban Affairs and Municipal Development Firhad Hakim said, “All illegal filling up of wetlands took save of dwelling all over the Left Entrance regime. The TMC had labored in direction of saving the waterbody all over its 12-year tenure in Bengal.”
CPI chief Satarup Ghosh, on the opposite hand, challenged Hakim to reach up with proof for his claim, and alleged that each the illegalities had been dedicated all over the reign of the TMC.
This text modified into once generated from an automatic news agency feed without changes to text.
