<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">A comprehensive report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has revealed rampant, large-scale illegal shrimp farming in Surat district, exposing environmental violations, encroachment on government land, and a lack of regulatory compliance.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The report was prepared by a Joint Committee comprising officials from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, the District Magistrate&rsquo;s office, Fisheries and Forest Departments, and other authorities. It was mandated by the NGT after activist Rajendra Shah petitioned against widespread aquaculture being carried out on ecologically sensitive government land without statutory clearances.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to the findings, more than 5,600 shrimp ponds were constructed across 23 villages in Olpad and Choryasi-Majura talukas, encroaching upon nearly 40 million square metres of land. Of this, only around 16.7 million square metres are registered or in the process of registration with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority, leaving more than half of the activity unauthorized.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The committee noted serious environmental consequences, including salinization of agricultural soil, biodiversity loss, and illegal diversion of creek water. It also flagged the unregulated use of electricity and water resources, further burdening public utilities.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Enforcement drives have had partial success. Revenue authorities reported demolition of over 4.1 million square metres of illegal farms, reclaiming land in villages such as Mor, Lavacha, Mandroi, Orma, and Barbodhan. However, challenges persist, particularly in low-lying areas where monsoon waterlogging makes demolition unfeasible. To curb re-encroachment, the administration has shifted from simply breaching bund walls to completely destroying pond structures.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The energy audit by Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL) corroborated the scale of operations. Official electricity connections showed an energy footprint consistent with 27 to 40 million square metres of aquaculture activity, aligning with the encroachment data.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The report underscores gaps in monitoring and enforcement despite repeated directions from the District Coastal Regulation Zone Committee. It concludes that while significant land has been reclaimed, illegal shrimp farms remain widespread and continue to threaten the coastal ecosystem.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Environmental experts say the findings highlight the urgent need for stronger policy enforcement, stricter monitoring, and sustainable aquaculture practices. The NGT is expected to take up the matter for further directions, with implications not just for Surat but for coastal governance across India.</span></div>

Surat Faces Massive Illegal Shrimp Farming Crisis

NGT report reveals 5,600 illegal shrimp ponds in Surat

Surat Faces Massive Illegal Shrimp Farming Crisis

NGT report reveals 5,600 illegal shrimp ponds in Surat

September 18, 2025 | 23:56 IST