By News On Air Jul 01, 2026
Agartala, July 1 (FD) The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has issued a landmark set of directions aimed at restoring the ecological balance of the historic MBB College Lake, directing the Tripura government to implement a comprehensive biodiversity conservation plan and submit a consolidated Action Taken Report (ATR) within three months.
The order, delivered on June 30 by a Bench comprising Justice Arindam Lodh, Chairperson, and Udit Choudhuri, Member, came while disposing of a petition filed by Nikhil Debnath, President, and Jayanta Bhattacharya, Secretary, of the NGO Forum for Protection of Environment and Water Bodies.
After examining pleadings, documentary evidence, expert opinions and reports submitted by the Forest Department, Tripura State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), Revenue Department and Agartala Smart City Limited, the Commission held that the right to a clean and healthy environment is an inseparable part of the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The Commission acknowledged that the Smart City project involved substantial public investment and, therefore, could not be dismantled in its entirety. However, it concluded that several developmental activities carried out under the project had significantly altered the lake's natural ecosystem, affecting its undergrowth, surrounding habitat, bat colonies, migratory birds, aquatic biodiversity and the free movement of aquatic species due to the partitioning of the water body.
Describing ecological restoration as an urgent priority, the Commission directed the State Government and Agartala Smart City Limited to undertake scientific restoration of the lake and its surrounding habitat, restore ecological conditions existing before execution of the project wherever feasible, and remove artificial barriers obstructing the movement of aquatic animals and migratory birds.
Among its key recommendations, the Commission called for the gradual replacement of ornamental and non-native plantations with indigenous trees, shrubs, herbs and aquatic vegetation in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan and expert advice. It also stressed the need to minimise commercial activities around the lake, preserve natural vegetation and reduce human interference in wildlife habitats to help re-establish ecological corridors.
In a significant direction, the Commission ordered the constitution of an Independent Ecological Restoration Committee within two months. The panel will comprise representatives of the Tripura Biodiversity Board, Wetland Authority of Tripura, Forest Department, and Tripura State Pollution Control Board, experts from the Departments of Forestry & Biodiversity and Zoology of Tripura University or other suitable institutions, along with independent environmental experts Dr. Sabyasachi Dasgupta, Dr. Priyasankar Chowdhury, Dr. Krishnendu Das and Dr. Dipak Sinha.
The committee has been tasked with inspecting every permanent structure constructed under the Smart City project and identifying installations that unnecessarily compromise the ecological integrity of the lake. If any deck, bridge, platform, embankment, lighting installation or similar structure is found to have an adverse ecological impact without serving an indispensable public purpose, the authorities have been advised to modify, relocate or remove it.
The Commission also recommended declaring ecologically sensitive portions of the lake, including breeding zones and peripheral areas, as Ecological Conservation Zones, where no further commercial or recreational construction should be permitted.
Addressing concerns over artificial illumination, the Commission directed that lighting around the lake should be wildlife-friendly, minimise light spill into trees and the water body, and remain switched off after 6 p.m., except where essential for security purposes.
In another major recommendation, the Commission directed the State Government to permanently close the restaurant-cum-marriage hall operating on the lake's banks if it is found responsible for pollution, in accordance with findings of the Tripura State Pollution Control Board. It further advised that no similar commercial establishments should be permitted within the lake's periphery if they pose any threat to the ecosystem.
The TSPCB has been directed to conduct quarterly monitoring of water quality, including Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen, coliform count and other ecological indicators, with the reports to be placed in the public domain.
The Tripura Biodiversity Board has also been asked to undertake annual scientific assessments of migratory birds, bat colonies, aquatic biodiversity, native vegetation and the overall ecological health of the lake, and submit reports to the Commission for the next three years.
The Commission prohibited dumping of plastic waste, construction debris, sewage or any other pollutants into the lake and ordered regular removal of floating waste. It further directed strict implementation of the Environmental Management Plan prepared under the Detailed Project Report and mandated rectification of any deviations identified by the Independent Ecological Restoration Committee.
The order also states that no additional permanent construction should be undertaken within the lake or ecologically sensitive zones unless an independent scientific assessment certifies that the proposed activity will not adversely affect biodiversity or ecological balance. It emphasised that future developmental and conservation initiatives must involve consultations with environmental experts, academic institutions, local residents and civil society organisations.
For compliance, the Commission directed the Chief Secretary, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Member Secretary of the Tripura State Pollution Control Board, Member Secretary of the Tripura Biodiversity Board, Secretary of the Urban Development Department, District Magistrate of West Tripura and the Chief Executive Officer of Agartala Smart City Limited to submit a consolidated Action Taken Report within three months.
The matter will be taken up again after the expiry of the stipulated period to review compliance. The Commission observed that its recommendations carry persuasive and mandatory value for the authorities concerned and directed that copies of the order be served on all stakeholders, including the complainants, for necessary action. FD JK