NGT Demands Report on Microplastic Pollution in Bhopal Lakes

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) will hold a final hearing on August 8 to decide on water pollution in Bhopal’s Bhoj Wetland. On July 11, the lawyer representing the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) told the tribunal that a scientific water quality study had been completed and the report would be submitted within two weeks.

Last month, Ground Report reported how the Bhoj Wetland system is facing high levels of plastic pollution, confirming concerns about microplastic contamination raised earlier in December 2024.

Samples showed microplastic levels ranging from 1,480 to 2,050 particles per cubic meter in the Upper Lake, and up to 2,710 particles in the Lower Lake. In smaller water bodies like Pipaliya pond and Devdharam Tekri, the concentration ranged from 600 to over 2,100 particles per cubic meter.

In court, the NGT questioned the city’s pollution control efforts. “You must monitor the discharge and take action against violators,” the Bench said.

The Bhoj Wetland, a Ramsar site since 2002, includes two connected lakes. The Upper Lake supplies nearly 40% of Bhopal’s drinking water. The wetland also supports over 160 bird species, fish, turtles, and other aquatic life.

Experts say plastic waste breaks down into small fragments that are hard to remove. Dr. Pradeep Nandi, Director General of NCHSE and EPCO, said, “Microplastics are nano-sized particles, much smaller than what sand filters can catch. These particles pass through our standard water treatment systems.”

Researchers used glass jars to collect lakewater samples and filtered them to analyse microplastic content. They found particles as small as 0.4 millimetres, including fibres, sheets, and foams, materials small enough for fish and birds to swallow.

Plastic types found in the lakes include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, and PVC. These materials often come from packaging, clothing fibres, and waste thrown into drains.

Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Khudsar, an ecologist, warned that existing treatment plants cannot handle this problem. “Constructed wetlands offer a low-energy, effective way to treat sewage before it reaches lakes,” he said. He urged city planners to rethink sewage systems to block plastics upstream.

Despite multiple reports and petitions, unchecked construction near the lake continues. Tourism businesses line VIP Road, adding pressure to the ecosystem. Dr. Nandi said enforcement has weakened since the original Bhoj Wetland Project ended. "Now, it's solely focused on tourism," he expressed. “I’ve stopped taking morning walks near the lake.”

Health experts are also raising concerns. "We are just beginning to understand the health risks of exposure to microplastics," stated Dr. Leepika Parulekar of Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai. She pointed to links with cancer, cardiovascular problems, and immune disorders.

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