NGT Pulls Up Authorities Over Wetland Violations in Tikamgarh, Orders Special Task Force

March 23, 2026 : Bhopal, March 23, 2026: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Central Zone Bench at Bhopal, has strongly criticized authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh district for failing to comply with its earlier directions on protection and conservation of wetlands. The Tribunal noted continued environmental violations, including unchecked encroachments, discharge of untreated wastewater, and persistent dumping of solid waste across key water bodies.

The matter arose in Sobran Yadav v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors. (Original Application No. 54/2025), where serious concerns were raised regarding six wetlands—Mahendra Sagar, Brandavan Talab (Jheer Ki Bagiyta), Gwal Sagar, Hanuman Sagar, Maharaj Sagar, and Shell Sagar.

Violations Confirmed by Joint Committee

A Joint Committee constituted by the Tribunal verified that all six wetlands were facing serious violations of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. These included:

• Direct discharge of untreated sewage due to absence of any sewage treatment system in Tikamgarh city
• Widespread encroachments and illegal constructions within wetland boundaries and buffer zones
• Continuous dumping of solid waste, particularly in Mahendra Sagar and Shell Sagar
• Lack of boundary demarcation using pillars or markers in most water bodies

The table on page 3 of the order details each wetland’s extent and associated threats, highlighting issues such as encroachment, untreated water inflow, agricultural runoff, and severe pollution in Shell Sagar.

Tribunal Expresses Displeasure

Despite repeated directions since August 2025, the Tribunal found that authorities failed to provide basic compliance details, including:

• Status of demarcation and erection of boundary pillars
• Number and extent of encroachments identified and removed
• Concrete steps taken to stop sewage discharge and restore ecological balance

Expressing dissatisfaction, the Bench observed that authorities had not made “sincere efforts” to implement the Wetland Rules, 2017, and emphasized that wetland protection is a “prime duty” of concerned officials.

Key Directions Issued

The Bench comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana (Judicial Member) and Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi (Expert Member) issued a series of strict directions:

• Special Task Force: The Collector, Tikamgarh, must constitute a dedicated task force for monitoring and protection of wetlands
• Demarcation & Protection: Immediate on-ground demarcation of all six wetlands with boundary pillars and enforcement of the 50-meter no-construction buffer zone
• Encroachment Removal: Identification and removal of illegal constructions following due process
• Sewage Management:
  • Chief Municipal Officer to identify all drains discharging untreated water
  • Quantify sewage load and submit a time-bound plan for installation of sewage treatment plants (STPs)
  • Take interim steps to divert untreated wastewater
• Solid Waste Control: Strict prohibition and removal of waste dumping in wetlands
• Funding Support: Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, directed to provide necessary funds for restoration efforts

Accountability Measures

The Tribunal also flagged inaction by the State Pollution Control Board for failing to file a compliance report despite serious violations, directing its Member Secretary to submit a personal affidavit explaining the lapse.

Further, the Collector must submit a detailed compliance report and appear before the Tribunal via video conferencing in the next hearing.

Background and Legal Context

The Tribunal reiterated that Rule 4 of the Wetlands Rules, 2017 prohibits activities such as encroachments, untreated waste discharge, and solid waste dumping within wetlands. The order also draws from Supreme Court directions mandating timely demarcation and protection of wetlands across the country.

Next Hearing

The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 11, 2026, with strict directions for all concerned authorities to submit progress reports.