The Gauhati High Court has directed the Assam Public Works Department (PWD) to submit an affidavit verifying the removal of earth filling and construction activities in the ecologically sensitive Deepor Beel area. This move comes in response to growing environmental concerns over alleged unauthorized activities in the wetland region .
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam issued the order while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by three individuals, including a local cattle farmer. The petition challenges unauthorized land use and construction in the wetland, raising alarm over its impact on the fragile ecosystem.
The court also took note of a Supreme Court directive to register a suo moto PIL based on an affidavit filed by Dr. A. Duraisamy, a scientist and Member Secretary of the Central Wetland Regulatory Authority. However, the court found no record of compliance with this directive and has asked the registry to verify the status.
During the proceedings, PWD’s counsel informed the court that the construction project near Dharapur Tiniali had been scrapped, and temporary earth-filling activities would be removed within six to eight weeks. The court has mandated PWD to submit an affidavit confirming the complete removal of these activities before the next hearing.The case has brought multiple government bodies under scrutiny, including Assam Forest Department,Pollution Control Board,Guwahati Municipal Corporation,North Eastern Frontier Railway .All of these bodies are involved in land and environmental regulations concerning Deepor Beel.
