National Green Tribunal takes suo motu cognizance of high level of pollutants in river near Bengaluru – India Legal

The Nationwide Inexperienced Tribunal (NGT) has taken took suo motu cognizance of the alarming ranges of heavy metals and poisonous substances, together with mercury, banned pesticide DDT, cancer-causing polycyclic fragrant hydrocarbons (PAH), and fluoride present in Arkavathy river in Karnataka.

The unique utility is registered suo-motu on the premise of the information merchandise dated November 22, 2024.

As per the article, the river is an important supply of agriculture and horticulture in Karnataka. 

The article highlights that even after the Karnataka Excessive Court docket’s route to guard the Arkavathy River, it continues to undergo from extreme home and industrial air pollution. Originating close to Nandi Hills, the river stays weak to contamination till it merges with Vrishabhavathi, one other closely polluted water physique carrying Bengaluru’s sewage. 

The article studies that the samples have been collected from three websites: upstream and downstream of the Thippagondanahalli (TG Halli) reservoir, and the Dodda Mudavadi bridge, positioned 10 km upstream of the Arkavathy-Vrishabhavathi confluence. The analysis resulted within the following key findings- DDT Concentrations have been discovered to be 75 instances above the European Union’s  water high quality requirements. Hexavalent Chromium, a carcinogenic compound, exceeded security limits by 100 instances based on Canada Water High quality tips. Mercury ranges ranged from 16 to 26 instances above Canadian security requirements in any respect three sampling websites. PAH was detected in all three samples. These dangerous hydrocarbons may cause well being points starting from pores and skin irritation to most cancers.

The Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Knowledgeable Member has impleaded the Karnataka State Air pollution Management Board, Central Air pollution Management Board, Ministry of Atmosphere, Forest and Local weather Change, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, and District Justice of the Peace (Bangalore) as respondents within the matter. 

They’ve been directed to file responses/replies by the use of affidavit earlier than the suitable Bench of the Tribunal.

The case attracts provisions of the Water (Prevention and Management of Air pollution) Act, 1974, and the Hazardous and Different Wastes (Administration and Transboundary Motion) Guidelines, 2016, and the Atmosphere (Safety) Act, 1986. 

The NGT has acknowledged its energy to take up the matter suo moto, as established by the Supreme Court docket within the case of Municipal Company of Larger Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.

The case has been transferred to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai, for additional motion, with the subsequent listening to scheduled for February 10, 2025.