Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding discharge of untreated effluent into Sonpatra river, Maharashtra, 17/04/2023
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Aryavat Foundation Vs M/s Lote Parshuram Environment Protection Cooperative Society Ltd & Others dated 17/04/2023.
The applicant, Aryavat Foundation, a non-government organization, filed an application raising an issue that M/s Lote Parshuram Environment Protection Cooperative Society Ltd is running a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) and is discharging untreated effluent into Sonpatra river through a leaked pipeline as it has failed to provide a full-fledged leakage proof pipeline. Further it has failed to maintain the aeration tank of CETP with sufficient biomass/culture, which was observed by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in its show cause notice dated October 14, 2022 and also observed in that notice that one clarifier was found to be inoperative.
The NGT directed the constitution of a joint committee comprising one member each from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and MPCB. The joint committee would assess the environmental damage caused by Lote Parshuram Environment Protection Cooperative Society and recommend a plan for its restoration and also shall assess adequacy of CETP to meet the standards and recommend the standard for its improvement.
The report has to be filed within one month, the order of the NGT, Western Zone Bench, Pune, April 17, 2023 said.