Environmental activist raises alarm over illegal filling at Kerwa Dam wetland

On April 10, Rashid Noor Khan rode his bike nearly 40 kilometers from Bhopal to Mahuakheda after receiving a phone call. Locals told him that trucks were dumping soil into the wetland area near the Kerwa Dam. “I saw copra soil being dumped from trucks,” Noor recalled. “When I asked people nearby who was behind it, no one gave a clear answer. Some claimed paddy fields were being prepared—but there were no signs of farming.”

Noor, a long-time environmental activist, has fought encroachment around Bhopal’s water bodies since 2011. His drinking water comes from the Kerwa Dam. 

“My drinking water comes from the Kerwa Dam. So do the lives of nearby wild animals—including tigers,” he said.

“Tigers come here to drink. We’re not just risking health — we’re destroying habitats.” “If this soil dumping continues, colonies will rise on this land. Just like Shahpura Lake, this wetland will get buried under sewage and construction,” he said.

Days after witnessing the dumping, Noor filed a formal complaint with the Bhopal District Collector. His complaint highlighted extensive illegal filling activities in the ecologically sensitive wetland area of the Kerwa Dam near Mahuakheda village.

The area still falls under a Gram Panchayat, making it easier to obtain construction permits under the guise of agricultural use.

“Selling this land for crores, dumping soil worth lakhs — no one’s here to farm. They’re here to build,” said Khan. “Big bungalows are already standing in remote areas like Mullaji ki Tekri.”

Days after witnessing the dumping, Noor filed a formal complaint with the Bhopal District Collector. His complaint highlighted extensive illegal filling activities in the ecologically sensitive wetland area of the Kerwa Dam near Mahuakheda village.

According to the complaint, over the past month, large-scale unauthorised dumping of construction debris and soil has been taking place within the Full Tank Level (FTL) boundary of the wetland. Sources indicate that more than 2,000 dumpers have already offloaded material in the area, with operations reportedly continuing unabated.

"The natural water catchment area, which previously experienced complete water filling, has now been artificially elevated by approximately 5 feet through illegal dumping," Noor stated in his complaint. "Black soil is being spread over the debris, permanently altering the original landscape of this critical wetland ecosystem."

“Subhash Pandey and I had filed a petition against illegal construction around Kaliyasot reservoir. The NGT ordered FTL demarcation in all reservoirs after that,” he said.

The activist further alleged that boundary stones marking the FTL limits have been deliberately damaged or buried to obscure official demarcation lines. This activity directly contravenes directives issued by both the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court regarding wetland preservation.

The complaint specifies three major violations occurring at the site: the illegal elevation of wetland terrain through debris dumping, the establishment of temporary structures within the FTL boundary, and the obstruction of natural water flow patterns that threaten local biodiversity.

The complaint cites specific violations of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, which prohibit any construction or encroachment in designated wetland areas. Additional violations include contravention of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

“District administration is looking into the complaint and will take the required action against the people responsible for encroaching the catchment area. We have received complaints with photographic evidence,” said Vinod Sonakiya, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Huzur Tehsil of Bhopal district.

Noor has urged the district administration to form a technical and revenue team for immediate site inspection, initiate stringent legal action against the perpetrators, and restore the wetland to its natural state by removing all debris and encroachments.

“Complaints regarding illegal leveling and filling in Kerwa Dam catchment have been received. We have instructed concerned SDM to initiate action. It is a gross violation of the NGT directive regarding biological diversity and wetland conservation,” said Brijesh Sharma, Regional officer, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB).

The Kerwa Dam wetland is a critical part of Bhopal’s water supply system and serves as an important ecological hotspot. The wetland provides habitat for numerous species and supports the city's water needs. Environmental experts warn that continued degradation of this site will worsen Bhopal's ongoing water scarcity crisis.

Kerwa Dam supplies water to several areas in Bhopal. These include DK 3 and 5 Colony, Sumitra Complex, Garib Nagar, Om Nagar, Police Colony, Bairagarh Chichli, Salaiya, Ratnapur, Godari, Hanumant Narela, Hinotia, Sohagpur, Semrikalan, Pipaliya Keshar, Inayatpur, Rasulia, Gaurav Nagar, and Daulatpur.

Bhopal depends on four main water sources: Upper Lake, Kolar Dam, Narmada River, and Kerwa Dam.

“If the dam water is polluted, it’ll affect every family in Bhopal,” said Noor.

"This wetland is not only vital for Bhopal's water supply system but also serves as an important biodiversity hotspot," Noor emphasised. "The ongoing activities are not just environmentally destructive but also punishable under multiple environmental protection laws."

Rashid added, "The state government is running a campaign to conserve water bodies on the Ganga river, but is not paying any attention to the pollution caused by the Kerwa pond in the capital city". 

Noor is now reviewing the Supreme Court’s 2024 directive to protect wetlands. 

“The Supreme Court told all states to protect wetlands in December 2024. What’s happening here violates that order. We’re exploring legal options to intervene,” he said.

Environmental activists have warned that if immediate intervention is not forthcoming, they plan to approach the National Green Tribunal seeking emergency protective measures for the Kerwa Dam wetland area.

As Bhopal continues to face water scarcity issues, the preservation of natural water bodies like the Kerwa Dam has taken on additional urgency, with experts warning that further degradation could exacerbate the city's long-term water security challenges.

“If we don’t stop it now, colonies will rise where wetlands once breathed,” Noor warned.

Noor has called for the immediate removal of the dumped debris and the restoration of the wetland’s natural state. Furthermore, authorities must enforce stronger regulations to prevent future violations.

He has called for the immediate removal of the dumped debris and the restoration of the wetland’s natural state. Furthermore, authorities must enforce stronger regulations to prevent future violations.

In the face of growing environmental threats, public awareness campaigns have already begun to mobilise local support for the preservation of the Kerwa Dam wetland. Activists are urging the community to take a stand and demand accountability from the authorities responsible for overseeing environmental protection.

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