The National Green Tribunal has sharply criticized officials in Bhopal over their handling of the Upper Lake buffer zone, saying the administration has failed to act despite the issue remaining unresolved since 2020. The tribunal’s remarks suggest deep frustration over the lack of enforcement around a sensitive water body.
At the center of the case is the failure to properly demarcate the lake’s buffer zone and remove encroachments within 50 metres. According to the tribunal, the continued inaction raises serious concerns about whether the rules are being applied fairly, especially when allegedly unauthorized structures are involved.
The tribunal’s observations indicate that it sees the delay as more than an administrative lapse. Its criticism points to a possible pattern of protecting influential constructions instead of upholding environmental safeguards and the rule of law. That makes the matter significant not only as an environmental issue but also as a question of accountability in local governance.
The NGT has now asked for a progress report by July 2026, keeping the case under review. The direction puts pressure on the authorities to show concrete movement on demarcation and removal of violations around Upper Lake after years of delay.
