The pristine rivers of Kashmir, including Doodh Ganga and Mamath Kull, continue to suffer from severe pollution, prompting the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to issue a final warning to the municipal authorities of Chadoora, Budgam, and Srinagar.
These municipalities are facing allegations for discharging untreated sewage and mishandling waste disposal, with the NGT now demanding an immediate response.
During a recent hearing, counsel G.M. Kawoosa requested a four-week extension to prepare a comprehensive reply, which was granted under the condition that each municipality deposits Rs 10,000 with the Registrar General within a week.
This move follows previous fines imposed by the NGT, including a hefty penalty of Rs 41.47 crore on Srinagar Municipal Corporation for discharging untreated sewage into Doodh Ganga. Budgam and Chadoora have also been penalized Rs 3.72 crore and Rs 1.41 crore, respectively, for their poor waste management practices.
The NGT bench, led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, emphasized that this would be the last chance for the municipalities to submit a detailed response, including information on sewage and waste management facilities.
In their order, the NGT expressed frustration over the repeated failure of the local bodies to provide the necessary data despite three years of hearings.
“We find that though there is a gross violation by the Local Bodies of Chandura, Budgam, and Srinagar, no separate response by them has been filed disclosing the full particulars relating to the generation of sewage and solid waste within the Local Body and the extent of facility which is available to treat it and further plan to reach the target of 100% treatment,” the NGT stated.
“Though this matter has been pending for the last 3 years and has been taken up at least 10 times, full particulars have not come on record till now.”
The case was brought to the NGT’s attention by environmental activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who has been raising alarm about the unchecked discharge of untreated sewage and the poor handling of solid waste, which he argues violate the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Bhat’s allegations have highlighted the severe pollution affecting Doodh Ganga and Mamath Kull, compelling the Tribunal to step in.
In a recent ruling, the NGT referenced a report from the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (J&KPCC), which outlined ongoing violations and criticized local authorities for their inadequate responses to previous notices.
The NGT has now instructed municipalities to submit comprehensive updates, including plans for achieving 100% sewage and waste treatment.
Additionally, the NGT has directed the J&KPCC to submit a follow-up report on actions taken to address these issues by February 11, 2025, ahead of the next hearing scheduled for February 18, 2025.