Pollution in Pali river: NGT directs Jodhpur's Divisional Commissioner to prepare action plan

The National Green Tribunal today asked Jodhpur divisional commissioner to survey Rajasthan's Pali district and prepare an action plan to control pollution in Bandi river caused by local textile industries.

A vacation bench of Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore gave direction to the Jodhpur DC on Pali district collector's report which said "rectification of deficiencies require more attention and sincere efforts" to the malady of Bandi river pollution.

"In view of these circumstances, we direct the Jodhpur divisional commissioner to personally visit the site and inform us whether the deficiencies pointed out by the committee, have been rectified.

"He shall send complete report to the Tribunal before July 5, 2018. He shall also prepare an action plan for rectifying the deficiencies, after giving a time frame," the bench said.

 

The green panel also reiterated its earlier order, directing no discharge of untreated water into the river from the common effluent treatment plants.

The tribunal had earlier constituted a monitoring panel of four members which had recommended that no treated or untreated industrial effluent should be allowed to be discharged in the river or on adjacent land in any form.

It had also asked the individual industries to periodically monitor the quality of effluent discharged from the primary treatment facilities for smooth and efficient operation of the Common Effluent Treatment Plants.

The NGT after perusing the recommendations, had directed the collector to study the committee report and, thereafter, visit the site to see if the deficiencies pointed out by it have been rectified or not.

The green panel gave its direction while adjudicating a plea by Kisan Paryavaran Sangharsh Samiti, which has alleged that textile units have caused pollution in Bandi river.

A study of surface and groundwater in Pali, conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment in 2008, had found almost 80 per cent of the sample water unfit for drinking.

The samples showed high alkaline and chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels, indicating dangerous levels of organic pollutants. The quantity of total dissolved solids was four times higher than the standard. The case was transferred to NGT from the Jodhpur High Court in 2012.