Constitute expert body to keep rivers free from effluents: HC
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‘A State that depends primarily on flowing water and rainwater must keep them pollution free’
The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the State authorities to represent an expert body with individuals having impeccable credentials to counsel methods and measures to forestall air pollution of flowing water in rivers and waterbodies, both by means of discharge of effluents by industries or letting out of sewage by native inhabitants.
Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy issued the instructions whereas passing interim orders on a public curiosity litigation petition pending since 2017. Karur-based advocate T. Dhanasekaran had filed the case, accusing a non-public dyeing unit of polluting Amaravati river, a tributary of the Cauvery, by discharging effluents.
The petitioner’s counsel, V. Raghavachari, contended that the discharge of effluents into the river not simply lead to air pollution of floor water but additionally the groundwater, rendering them toxic. He mentioned river water in your entire area had turn into non-potable and urged the courtroom to quash a 2014 authorities order granting permission for the enlargement of the dyeing unit.
On the opposite hand, advocate Srinath Sridevan, representing the dyeing unit, mentioned it was a zero-liquid discharge trade and the air pollution of river water couldn’t be attributed to it. There may very well be different causes for air pollution within the area.
After recording their submissions, the judges held that it was the obligation of the State to make sure that air pollution ranges in flowing water is lowered to the bottom degree. Appropriate checks and balances ought to be launched to utterly prohibit the discharge of effluents by industries in addition to sewage by people, they mentioned.
Impressing upon the necessity to protect the standard of water in rivers for the good thing about customers downstream, the judges agreed with Mr. Raghavachari {that a} polluted river would render the groundwater too poisonous. A State which primarily relies upon upon flowing water and rainwater ought to take each endeavour to preserve their high quality, they mentioned.
After dictating the orders, the judges advised State Government Pleader V. Jayaprakash Narayanan not to contemplate the case as an adversarial litigation and as an alternative take constructive steps in direction of preserving the pure assets for posterity. “It is not for you and me, it is for our children,” the Chief Justice mentioned, stressing that the long run era ought to get to use contemporary air and clear water.
The Chief Justice additionally expressed disappointment over the stench that continues to emanate from the Cooum, flowing via Chennai metropolis. He mentioned the foul scent may very well be felt even when the judges took a stroll close to the judges’ bungalows on Greenways Road, and even inside air-conditioned vehicles whereas they travelled throughout the Napier Bridge, day by day, to attain the High Court.
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