The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has disposed of an original application related to the deteriorating condition of the Adi Ganga Gomti river in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The NGT had taken suo motu cognizance of a news item highlighting the extreme heat causing the river to dry up, resulting in the death of fish and a foul smell in the area.
The Tribunal had impleaded the concerned parties, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), and issued notices to them.
The CPCB and UPPCB filed their replies, disclosing that they had constituted a joint team to carry out a site visit and ascertain the facts.
The joint inspection report revealed that three drains with a gradient towards the river were found near the Hanuman Ghat, out of which one was tapped and diverted to a sewage treatment plant, while two were untapped.
The Principal Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi, and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, observed that the joint inspection report was based on a visit during the monsoon when the river had high flow, whereas the news item was dated June 25, 2024, when the river had significantly low flow.
However, the Tribunal directed the authorities to take expeditious steps to tap the two untapped drains and ensure that during summer, when the water level in the river is low, all possible measures are taken to maintain the river ecology.
The UPPCB informed the Tribunal that the two drains would be tapped and diverted under the Amrut 2.0 Scheme.
The NGT disposed of the original application, directing the authorities to take necessary steps to protect the river’s ecology.
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