SOP for Change, Conversion or Alteration of Land with Water Bodies and Creation of Compensatory Water Bodies

The West Bengal government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for processing applications related to changes in land with water bodies and the creation of compensatory water bodies, under the West Bengal Land Reforms Act. The process includes submitting forms, conducting field inquiries, and obtaining clearances from relevant departments, with a target completion time of 120 days. Each step, from the initial application to final clearance, involves specific timelines, ensuring uniformity and accountability across departments. The SOP aims to streamline the procedure for applicants while preserving aquatic resources and facilitating land reforms in the state.

advtanmoy 31/01/2026 4 minutes read

How Applications for Alteration of Water-Body Land and Compensatory Water Body Creation Are Processed in West Bengal

Government of West Bengal
Department of Land & Land Reforms and Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation
IS Branch, Nabanna
325, Sarat Chatterjee Road, P.O. Shibpur
District: Howrah, PIN – 711102

No. 1/691214/2025/LR-22012(11)/273/2025-IS SEC
Date: 12.09.2025

MEMORANDUM

Sub: Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for disposal of applications relating to change, conversion or alteration of land having water bodies and creation of compensatory water bodies

Applications seeking change, conversion, or alteration of any land containing a water body of any description or size, along with the creation of a compensatory water body under the proviso to Section 4C(2) of the West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955, read with Rule 5A of the WBLR Rules, 1965, are processed by the DL&LRO following prior consultation with the Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources & Fishing Harbour Department and the Environment Department. Such applications are ordinarily disposed of within 120 days.

Requests have been received from various quarters to issue an SOP to ensure uniformity in the processing of such applications. After careful consideration and due consultation with the concerned Departments, the following SOP is issued to prescribe a uniform and time-bound procedure for disposal of applications involving filling of an existing water body and creation of a compensatory water body.

This SOP shall be applicable to all authorities under the L&LR and RR&R Department, the Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources & Fishing Harbour Department, the Environment Department, and all applicants.

Detailed SOP

Submission of Application:
The applicant shall submit Form 1A and Form 1B, along with all required documents as prescribed in Form 1A.
Initial Scrutiny & Field Enquiry:
Upon finding the application complete, the BL&LRO shall conduct a field enquiry of both the existing water body and the proposed site for the compensatory water body, and forward the report with photographs to the DL&LRO within 15 days of receipt.
Verification by DL&LRO:
The DL&LRO shall verify the records and, if satisfied, refer the case to the Environment Department for necessary clearance. This process shall ordinarily be completed within 15 days.
Environment Department Clearance:
The Department shall issue its decision regarding the feasibility of the proposal after conducting necessary enquiries of both lands, ordinarily within 15 days.
Order for Creation of Compensatory Water Body:
Upon receipt of the environmental clearance, the DL&LRO shall hear the applicant and, if satisfied, issue an order directing the applicant to create the compensatory water body within 15 days.
Intimation of Compliance:
After creating the compensatory water body, the applicant shall inform the BL&LRO with relevant documents and photographs.
Field Verification by BL&LRO:
The BL&LRO shall conduct a field verification and submit a report to the DL&LRO within 15 days.
Referral to Fisheries Department:
The DL&LRO shall then refer the case to the Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources & Fishing Harbour Department for final clearance regarding the compensatory water body within 15 days.
Clearance by Fisheries Department:
After inspection and necessary processing, the Department shall issue clearance ordinarily within 15 days.
Final Disposal:
The DL&LRO shall pass a written order disposing of the application (Form 1A) based on reports from both Departments and the BL&LRO, preferably within 15 days of receiving all reports.
Recording in RoR:
The BL&LRO shall record the compensatory water body in the Record of Rights with the remark:
“Vide Section 4C(2) of the WBLR Act, no further conversion will be allowed.”
The RoR shall also be updated to reflect the filled-up water body.

(S. Basu)
Additional Secretary to the Government of West Bengal

No. 1/691214/1(6)/2025/LR-22012(11)/273/2025-IS SEC

Date: 12.09.2025

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to:

The Additional Chief Secretary, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources & Fishing Harbour Department / Environment Department
The Commissioner, All Divisions
The Director of Land Records & Surveys and Joint Land Reforms Commissioner, West Bengal
The District Magistrate & Collector, All Districts
The District Land & Land Reforms Officer, All Districts
The P.S. to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal

Additional Secretary
Government of West Bengal

Settlement of Government Lands and Vested Lands Under Litigation (Govt of West Bengal Notification)

Creation of Hierarchy for Initiating SAR of WBLRS Officers designated as Joint Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director (West Bengal)

West Bengal Land Reforms (Bargadars) Rules 1956