Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government’s Tampara Lake Beautification Project underway in Ganjam district got a jolt on Friday with National Green Tribunal (NGT) directing for immediate suspension of construction work within 50-metre radius of this protected Ramsar site.
Wildlife Society of Odisha had move the green panel, challenging the ongoing large-scale construction work at the 740-acre freshwater lake situated on the right bank of the Rushikulya river.
The NGT has also formed a high-level committee comprising senior scientist Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), deputy director of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhubaneswar office, Ganjam Collector and Director Of Environment, Government of Odisha, to conduct an investigation and submit its report in 3 week. September 13 has been fixed as the next date for the hearing.
Notably, ecologists had earlier express concern over the mindless construction activities undergoing at Tampara lake. It was alleged that recreational facilities were being developed for tourists along the natural freshwater lake of national importance by reclaiming the lake land in blatant violation of the Ramsar regulations as well as Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules (2010 and 2017) of the Union government. A portion was filled with soil to lay paths from the periphery and concrete structures were constructed for setting up cottages. Facilities like a water park, jetties, trekking path and parking spaces were also being developed by the state government alongside the lake.
