Raipur
Chhattisgarh Wetland Authority has ordered Raipur Collector and Raipur Municipal Corporation Commissioner to immediately stop the new construction work worth Rs. 1.5 crore and other works being done in the Karbala pond of the capital. This action has been taken on the complaint of social worker Dr. Rakesh Gupta.
In fact, Chhattisgarh Wetland Authority had ordered Raipur Collector in May 2023 to investigate Karbala Pond along with other ponds like Budha Pond, Telibandha, Maharajbandh and other ponds. Raipur Collector, under the chairmanship of Raipur Forest Divisional Officer, had constituted an investigation team only for Karbala Pond, bypassing Budha Pond, Telibandha, Maharajbandh and other ponds of Raipur.
Raipur Forest Division Officer handed over the investigation report of Karbala Pond to the Collector in July 2023. But till date the Collector has not submitted this report to the Wetland Authority. On this, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, ENT specialist and social worker of Raipur city, sought information from the Collector’s office under the Right to Information Act. On this, Dr. Rakesh Gupta sent a complaint letter along with the investigation report to the Additional Chief Secretary posted in the Forest and Climate Change Department in September 2025.
In the investigation report, it was found that many works worth Rs 1,13,61,323.00 were proposed to be done by a private company on Karbala Pond under social responsibility against the wetland rules, hence the investigation team had advised not to do these works. Despite that, prohibited works were carried out in February-March 2024, including laying of paver within 50 meters of the highest flood level etc.
Dr. Gupta said in the complaint letter that now a new retaining wall and other work costing Rs 1.5 crore has been proposed on Karbala Pond, which is against the rules of wetland. On this, the Wetland Authority has issued an order to the Raipur Collector asking for the investigation report of Karbala Pond for 2023 and directing the Raipur Municipal Corporation Commissioner to immediately stop the proposed construction work in Karbala Pond.
What are the prohibited activities?
According to Wetland Rules 2017, no construction of permanent nature can be done within 50 meters of the average highest flood level from 2007 till date, such as retaining walls built around water, pathways on the mead, paver, roads, buildings etc. Dr. Gupta told that since other ponds like Karbala Talab, Budha Talab, Maharaj Bandh, Telibandha which are larger in area than 2.25 hectares but Man. According to the order of the Supreme Court, the old rules (of 2010) are applicable. As per the order of the Supreme Court, the average highest flood level will have to be calculated from the year 2000.
What was found in the investigation of 2023
It is written in the investigation report of 2023 that construction work is proposed to be done for beautification in Karbala Reservoir. Under which works like parking system, CC road, railing repair, retaining wall repair, toilet building etc. are proposed. After site investigation, it was found that the implementation of the said work would naturally reduce the water holding capacity of the reservoir, water area affected area as well as have a negative impact on the animals dependent on the reservoir, which would be a violation of the rules mentioned in the Wetland Conservation and Management Rules 2017. Besides, this will convert the water area of the reservoir for non-wetland use.
Wetland Authority was suggested to take the help of RTI
Dr. Gupta advised the Wetland Authority that since Collector Raipur is not submitting the investigation report of Karbala Reservoir for July 2023 to the Wetland Authority despite repeated reminders, and has given it to other persons in RTI, the Wetland Authority should also get the investigation report of Karbala Reservoir by submitting an application under Right to Information in the Collector’s office. The second application must be filed by the Wetland Authority in the Collector’s office as to why despite the Wetland Authority’s order of May 2023 and repeated reminders, the Collector is not checking Budha Talab, Telibandha, Maharaj Bandh and other ponds of Raipur.
