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National Green Tribunal Halts Construction Near Tampara Lake: What's Next for This Ramsar Site?

Gyanhigyan english | June 17, 2025 5:39 PM CST

Construction Activities Cease at Tampara Lake

In Chhatrapur, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Kolkata has ordered a suspension of construction activities around Tampara Lake, a Ramsar site in Ganjam district, due to concerns over environmental encroachment. This decision follows allegations that various hotels, restaurants, and resorts were infringing upon the ecologically sensitive area.

The tribunal's eastern zone bench mandated a halt to all construction work and set the next hearing for August 6. Despite this order, many structures remain intact and have not been demolished.

During a previous session on April 3, the state government was unable to provide a factual report and requested an extension, which was granted, pushing the hearing to May 23. The report was eventually submitted on May 22, leading to the rescheduling of the hearing.

The issue was brought to the tribunal's attention after a petition was filed by the Wildlife Society of Cuttack on August 3, 2023, claiming that the lake's area was being encroached upon in violation of environmental regulations. A case was registered under the Environment Protection Act on August 8, 2023.

On August 11, the tribunal issued notices to 13 parties, including the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and various state officials, requiring their responses within four weeks.

As a result, all construction activities around Tampara Lake were halted on August 12, 2023. A high-level committee was established on September 5, 2023, to evaluate the situation. After a site visit on September 22, the Ganjam Collector submitted a report to the NGT on September 25, 2023, but no demolition actions had been initiated. Consequently, the NGT instructed the Collector on July 16, 2024, to provide a personal affidavit within four weeks detailing the measures taken to remove the illegal constructions.

It is important to note that Tampara Lake was designated as a Ramsar site on September 12, 2021, highlighting its international ecological importance.