Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding river pollution in India, 20/09/2018
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News Item Published in the 'The Hindu' Authored by Jacob Koshy Titled "More river stretches are now critically polluted: CPCB" dated 20/09/2018. According to the news item, 351 polluted river stretches have been noted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). 117 such stretches are in the States of Assam, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The question for consideration is whether any direction is necessary by this Tribunal, if river stretches are polluted as per the report of CPCB, which is a statutory body under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, (the Water Act).
NGT directs all States and Union Territories to prepare action plans within two months for bringing all the polluted river stretches to be fit at least for bathing purposes (i.e BOD ˂ 3 mg/L and FC ˂ 500 MPN/100 ml) within six months from the date of finalisation of the action plans. The action plans may be prepared by four-member Committee and would be called ‘’River Rejuvenation Committee’’ (RRC). Further all States and Union Territories are required to send a copy of Action Plan to CPCB especially w.r.t Priority I & Priority II stretches for approval.