Speaking to The Indian Express, environmentalist S M Ghosh said, “The wetlands, which are like the kidney of Kolkata, are further drying up. The rainwater harvesting… is also lost due to 60 per cent concretisation. The wetlands also work as a ‘carbon sink’, which helps in reducing air pollution, but as we lose the wetlands, the air pollution will rise, and the ecological balance will also be lost.”
" Knowingly drank poison ....
Death sentences to some innocent labours in illegal warehouses " .....SMG
A devastating fire broke out at Nazirabad, a part of the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), on January 26, 2026, claiming 27 lives. The incident occurred in two illegally constructed warehouses, sparking outrage and demands for investigation into the alleged encroachment and violations of environmental norms.
Environmentalists, including Somendra Mohan Ghosh, have raised concerns about the destruction of the EKW, a Ramsar site, and the impact on the ecosystem. The warehouses were allegedly built without necessary permits and fire safety measures, violating the Disaster Management Act, 2005 .
The Calcutta High Court has been monitoring the situation, with previous rulings emphasizing the need to protect the EKW. The East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority (EKWMA) has faced criticism for alleged inaction and collusion with land sharks and godown owners .