NGT directs for conservation of Doodh Ganga
Srinagar, May 23: The National Green Tribunal’s Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Srivastava cChairperson NGT and Dr Afroz Ahmad Expert Member has directed the Commissioner Secretary Environment & Forest Department J&K to file an affidavit mentioning the timeline for setting up the STPs around Doodh Ganga river.
The NGT took note of failure of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) , Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) and Housing & Urban Development Department for failing to set up multiple sewerage plants around Doodh Ganga in Chadoora town and Srinagar municipal limits
The order was pronounced in the case of Raja Muzaffar Bhat v/s Union of India and others. The petitioner moved to NGT around 4 years back when authorities failed to control the illegal waste dumping , discharge of sewerage and illegal mining in Doodh Ganga around Chadoora and Srinagar areas. In addition to it the petition mentions pollution in Mamath Kul of Budgam as well for which Municipal Council Budgam has been already been held responsible and huge environmental compensation -EC has been imposed on it along with Municipal Committee Chadoora.
“In respect of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, as compared to the daily generated sewage of 163.546 MLD, the treatment is roughly about 60 MLD. Hence, a huge quantity of untreated sewage is flowing in the river. We also find Let this affidavit be filed in 8 weeks “that performance of existing STPs have not been disclosed and water quality of Mamath Kull and Doodh Ganga has also not been disclosed with respect to prescribed standards.” NGT ‘s Principal Bench observed
Commissioner Secretary Environment & Forest J&K Govt has been directed to file an affidavit in 8 weeks of time.
"I am sure Commissioner Secretary Environment / Forest will take this issue seriously as the Govt has already issued funds to the tune of Rs 141 Crores for STPs almost 1 year back but the work is not being taken up. Even today on Friday morning, i saw untreated sewage being flushed into Doodh Ganga at Barzulla . I am ready to assist Secretary Environment on this issue at any point of time as and when she requires " said Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat petitioner in this case.
