Ensure no animal waste, blood seeps into Yamuna: NGT to Delhi govt

The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday asked the Delhi government and the civic bodies to ensure that no animal waste and blood seeps into the Yamuna due to cattle slaughter.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the Aam Aadmi Party government to file a complete status report on the issue before November 30.

"You can't permit animal waste and blood in river Yamuna. You have to regulate it somehow. You can't leave it like this. File a complete status report," the bench, also comprising expert member B S Sajwan, said.

Advocate Pooja Kalra, appearing for North Delhi Municipal Corporation, told the green panel that slaughterhouses were being closely monitored and the violators fined.

The observations came after a self-styled preacher, Swami Om, appearing on behalf of a religious outfit, sought immediate action in the matter saying the authorities have failed to ensure compliance with the NGT order.

The directions came during the hearing of a plea of the religious group, Ojasvi Party, which has approached the green panel against the pollution caused due to the slaughter of cattle.

Swami Om said the 4-day Chhath Puja began on Tuesday and people will be forced to take a dip in the polluted Yamuna if urgent directions are not given for stopping the inflow of animal blood.

The ceremony is observed mainly by the people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The national capital has a sizeable population of people hailing from the two states who observe it here on the banks of the Yamuna or at ponds, lakes and canals in their neighbourhood.