The National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognizance of a news article highlighting the severe pollution in Uttar Pradesh’s Hindon river.
The original application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item dated November 16, 2024.
As per the article, the 400-kilometre rain-fed river, emerging from the Shivalik Hills in Saharanpur and flowing through seven districts of Uttar Pradesh, supports a population of 19 million people along its banks. However, the river has become a toxic channel, receiving over 72,170 kilolitres per day of industrial effluents from 357 industries and 943 million litres per day of domestic sewage, with more than 220 MLD remaining untreated due to insufficient infrastructure.
The news item highlights that the severity of the pollution is reflected in the river’s consistently poor water quality metrics. The Central Pollution Control Board has classified it as a “Priority I” river since 2015, with Biochemical Oxygen Demand levels rising alarmingly from 24-80 mg/l in 2015 to 54-126 mg/l in 2022. The dissolved oxygen levels have reached zero in most parts, leading experts to declare the river “practically dead” since the 1980s. This deterioration is particularly evident in locations like Shimlana Mu village, where residents report over 100 cancer deaths in the last decade, with a cancer incidence rate of 1.3% – significantly higher than the national average of 0.1.
Furthermore, the news item sheds light on the severe impacts of river pollution. For instance, communities along the river report high instances of cancer, liver problems, skin infections, jaundice, dental issues, and kidney stones. Environmental studies have revealed alarming levels of heavy metals in the water, including lead (179 times above limits), cadmium (9 times above limits), and chromium (123 times above limits). Children are particularly vulnerable to these contaminants, facing higher risks from metal exposure through both ingestion and skin contact.
The Principal Bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel has observed that the matter indicates a violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The NGT has impleaded several respondents, including the Central Pollution Control Board, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The tribunal has directed the respondents to file their responses by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing.
The matter has been listed for hearing on March 19, 2025.
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The original application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item dated November 16, 2024.
As per the article, the 400-kilometre rain-fed river, emerging from the Shivalik Hills in Saharanpur and flowing through seven districts of Uttar Pradesh, supports a population of 19 million people along its banks. However, the river has become a toxic channel, receiving over 72,170 kilolitres per day of industrial effluents from 357 industries and 943 million litres per day of domestic sewage, with more than 220 MLD remaining untreated due to insufficient infrastructure.
The news item highlights that the severity of the pollution is reflected in the river’s consistently poor water quality metrics. The Central Pollution Control Board has classified it as a “Priority I” river since 2015, with Biochemical Oxygen Demand levels rising alarmingly from 24-80 mg/l in 2015 to 54-126 mg/l in 2022. The dissolved oxygen levels have reached zero in most parts, leading experts to declare the river “practically dead” since the 1980s. This deterioration is particularly evident in locations like Shimlana Mu village, where residents report over 100 cancer deaths in the last decade, with a cancer incidence rate of 1.3% – significantly higher than the national average of 0.1.
Furthermore, the news item sheds light on the severe impacts of river pollution. For instance, communities along the river report high instances of cancer, liver problems, skin infections, jaundice, dental issues, and kidney stones. Environmental studies have revealed alarming levels of heavy metals in the water, including lead (179 times above limits), cadmium (9 times above limits), and chromium (123 times above limits). Children are particularly vulnerable to these contaminants, facing higher risks from metal exposure through both ingestion and skin contact.
The Principal Bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel has observed that the matter indicates a violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The NGT has impleaded several respondents, including the Central Pollution Control Board, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The tribunal has directed the respondents to file their responses by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing.
The matter has been listed for hearing on March 19, 2025.
The post appeared first on .