Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar, Nov 5: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given municipal authorities of Chadoora, Budgam and Srinagar last opportunity to respond to the allegations of severe pollution in Dhoodh Ganga and Mamath Kull rivers.
In a recent hearing, Learned Counsel G.M. Kawoosa, representing the local bodies of Srinagar, Budgam, and Chadoora requested a four-week extension, which the Tribunal granted on the condition that each municipal body would deposit Rs 10,000 with the Registrar General within a week.
Pertinent to mention that NGT has already imposed substantial Environmental Compensation (EC) fines with Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) fined Rs 41.47 crore for discharging untreated sewage into Dhoodh Ganga.
Rs 3.72 crore on Municipal Council Budgam for unscientific waste disposal and Rs 1.41 crore on Municipal Committee Chadoora for similar waste management violations.
The NGT bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, in a latest order has said that was the final extension to allow the municipalities to provide a full response and disclose details of waste generation and treatment facilities.
“Learned Counsel G.M. Kawoosa submits that he is representing the Local Bodies also and has sought four weeks by way of last opportunity to respond to it. Having regard to the circumstance noted above, the prayer is accepted subject to deposit of the cost of Rs. 10000/- by each of the local body ie. Chadoora, Budgam and Srinagar within one week with the Registrar General of the Tribunal”, reads the NGT order.
The tribunal has noted that despite three years of hearings and over ten proceedings, full particulars regarding the extent of sewage and waste management have not yet been submitted.
A quick background of the case
The case, filed by environmental activist Raja Muzaffer Bhat, highlights the unchecked discharge of untreated sewage and improper solid waste disposal in Kashmir, allegedly in violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and other regulatory frameworks. The applicant cites widespread pollution in the Dhoodh Ganga and Mamath Kull rivers, prompting the NGT to take up the case.
The NGT order adds that the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (J&KPCC), in its recent report, detailed the violations, noting inadequate action by the local bodies despite previous show-cause notices.
The Tribunal in its order has made it clear that it expects comprehensive updates from the municipal bodies in the coming response, including detailed plans to achieve 100% treatment of waste and sewage.
The tribunal has further directed J&KPCC to submit a follow-up report on the action taken by February 11, 2025, a week before the next hearing scheduled for February 18, 2025.
