The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed both the Central and State governments to submit a report confirming their compliance with the directives outlined in the 2021 order aimed at mitigating river pollution.
Last week, NGT requested a compliance report on this issue from the Chief Secretaries of all states and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS).
The order was issued after recognizing a more extensive issue, which pertained to the nationwide implementation of these directives by various authorities.
A bench of Chairperson judicial member, Justice (retired) Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Veil were dealing with an execution application to enforce various directions earlier issued by the NGT to curb river pollution.
In the same order, the tribunal also reaffirmed prior directives issued in 2020, focusing on addressing deficiencies in sewage generation and treatment.
Facts -
The number of polluted river stretches has decreased from 44 in 2018 to 10 in 2022 in Assam, the applicant's counsel added, although he also pointed out that a new stretch in the Tocklai River along Kumar Kaibarta has been added. In Bihar, it was reported to the NGT that the number of polluted river segments has risen from 6 to 18, and the water quality of the Sirsa River has deteriorated from priority level III to II.
After due consideration of these facts, the NGT decided to accept the execution application and issued notifications to both the Central government and State authorities, requesting a compliance report on the matter.
These facts were documented in the minutes of a report from the Central Monitoring Committee, dated September 12, 2023.
The case has been listed to be heard next on December 13.
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