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Calcutta High Court Brings In Centre, Warns of Paramilitary Action Over East Kolkata Wetlands Encroachments

A follow-up hearing on March 16 will test whether demolition of more than 500 illegal wetland structures finally begins.

Overview

  • The court directed that the Union government be impleaded in the case, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and, as reported, the environment and housing ministries.
  • Justice Amrita Sinha said she is contemplating deploying central or paramilitary forces if state and civic bodies do not carry out demolitions.
  • The judge rejected more status reports and insisted on visible, ground-level demolition and restoration work instead of further paperwork.
  • The East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority told the court it lacks infrastructure and faced mass agitations that blocked power disconnections, and a planned joint inspection faltered when the KMC did not attend.
  • Petitioners allege 500-plus unauthorized structures—identified as 505 in court submissions—were built by filling protected wetlands, a Ramsar-recognized ecological site.