NGT Issues Notice to UP Chief Secretary: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a reply from the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh regarding the pollution of the Hindon River. The NGT was hearing a case in which it had taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about pollution in the river. The report said that the river is being polluted due to the discharge of industrial waste and lack of sewage treatment facilities.

What did the bench say about the seriousness of river pollution?

In its November 27 order, a bench headed by tribunal chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastava said, "The 400 km long rain-fed river originating from the Shivalik Hills in Saharanpur and flowing through seven districts of the state supports 1.9 crore people living on its banks. However, the river has become toxic with 72,170 kilolitres (KLD) of industrial effluent per day and 94.30 crore liters (MLD) of domestic sewage flowing into it from 357 industrial units."

Citing media reports, the bench said the severity of the pollution is reflected in the continuously deteriorating water quality in the river. The NGT bench also comprised judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi. The NGT said, "Furthermore, the news also highlights the serious effects of river pollution. For example, the incidence of cancer, liver problems, skin infections, jaundice, dental problems, and kidney stones is very high in the communities living along the river."The presencee of heavy metals in water at dangerous levels revealed

It said the report cited environmental studies which revealed the presence of heavy metals in water at dangerous levels. These include lead (179 times higher than the permissible limit), cadmium (nine times higher than the permissible limit), and chromium (123 times higher than the permissible limit), the bench said. Children are particularly vulnerable to these pollutants, and face a greater risk due to exposure to and ingestion of the metals, the NGT said.

It said, "This case indicates a violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Solid Waste Management Rules, and Environment Protection Act. Important issues related to compliance with environmental norms have been raised in the media report." In this, the Chief Secretary of the state, Uttar Pradesh Regional Office of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board, and State Pollution Control Board were made parties or respondents, to whom notices have been issued and answers have been sought.