NGT takes fresh steps to save Ganga

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday passed a number of directions with an aim to rejuvenate the Ganga.

The directions include declaring a No-Development Zone - an area of 100 metres from the edge of the river between Haridwar and Unnao - and prohibiting dumping of waste within 500 metres from the river.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also declared that an environment compensation of Rs 50,000 will be imposed on anyone who dumps waste in the river.

Directing all authorities concerned to complete various projects, including setting up of a sewage treatment plant within two years, the NGT also instructed the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government to shift tanneries within six weeks, from Jajmau in Kanpur to leather parks in Unnao or any other place it considers appropriate.

The tribunal also asked the river basin governments to formulate guidelines for religious activities on the ghats of the river or its tributaries.

The tribunal also constituted a supervisory committee headed by the water resources secretary and comprising IIT professors and officials from the UP government to oversee implementation of its directions. The NGT has asked the panel to submit reports at regular intervals.

The NGT said the concept of zero liquid discharge and online monitoring of effluent should not be applied to industrial units. The bench also said all industrial units falling in the catchment area of the river should be stopped from the indiscriminate extraction of groundwater.