GR Impact: Bhopal admin acts on illegal soil dumping in Kerwa dam wetland

Two days after Ground Report published a story about illegal dumping of debris and black soil in the Kerwa Dam wetland, the Bhopal administration took action. On Friday, 18 April, Huzur SDM Vinod Sonkia visited Mahuakheda village with a JCB machine. He began removing the soil dumped in the full tank level (FTL) area of the dam.

Environmental activist Rashid Noor Khan had filed a complaint with the collector. He raised concerns about how the dumping of debris—locally known as "Kopra"—and black soil was raising the land in the dam’s water filling area. According to him, this activity was changing the natural shape of the wetland.

In his complaint, Rashid wrote that the area where the dam used to hold water was now filled with debris up to five feet high. He said black soil was also added on top of the debris. As a result, the wetland’s original form was being destroyed. He also pointed out that the boundary stones marking the FTL had been broken and buried, which harms the wetland ecosystem.

Speaking to Ground Report earlier, Rashid said,

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

Sources say over 2,000 dumpers have already offloaded debris in the area.

Rashid welcomed the administration’s action but called it just a first step. Speaking to Ground Report after the SDM's visit, he said,

“The administration should not pretend to take action in this matter but should actually work to restore the wetland. Removing soil from the banks alone does not fix the damage already done to the ecosystem. The administration must keep monitoring this area regularly to prevent such activities in the future.”

He also demanded an investigation to find out who ordered the dumping. According to Rashid, unless the people responsible face action, there is no guarantee that the wetland will remain protected.

The Kerwa Dam wetland plays a major role in Bhopal’s water supply and ecological health. It provides habitat for various species and supports the city's drinking water needs. Environmental experts warn that if the site continues to degrade, Bhopal’s water shortage will get worse.

Kerwa Dam supplies water to many parts of 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 key water sources: Upper Lake, Kolar Dam, Narmada River, and Kerwa Dam.

“If the dam water is polluted, it'll affect every family in Bhopal,” Rashid said,

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

Rashid also criticized the state government. “They are running a campaign to conserve water bodies on the Ganga river, but they ignore the pollution happening right here at the Kerwa pond in the capital.”

Earlier, Rashid had warned that if no action was taken, he would approach the National Green Tribunal to request emergency protection for the Kerwa Dam wetland. Now, he says he will wait and watch. If the administration fails to act seriously, he plans to move ahead with legal action.

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