The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been informed that, according to a report by the Uttarakhand government on pollution in the Ganga River, even the river’s “origin point” at Gangotri shows contamination from sewage treatment plant (STP) discharge.
This information was presented during proceedings focused on controlling and preventing Ganga pollution in Uttarakhand. Earlier, the tribunal had requested a report from the state and other authorities.
A bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that an advocate for one of the applicants referenced the report, highlighting that a faecal coliform level of 540 MPN (most probable number) per 100 ml was detected in a sample from a 1 million litres per day (MLD) STP at Gangotri. Faecal coliform (FC) levels indicate microbial pollution from human and animal waste. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recommends an FC level of less than 500 MPN/100 ml for safe outdoor bathing.
In its November 5 order, the bench, which included Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, noted the advocate’s submission that “even the origin point of the pious river Ganga is polluted by the STP discharge.” The tribunal further reviewed the CPCB’s findings on STP compliance, revealing that out of 53 STPs in operation, only 50 were functional and 48 did not meet standards for FC levels, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) efficiency, or capacity utilization.
The tribunal found inconsistencies between the state’s report and the CPCB’s data, expressing doubt about Uttarakhand’s latest disclosures. It directed the Chief Secretary to carefully examine the issue and ensure an accurate status report is submitted in compliance with all norms.
Deficiencies in Uttarakhand’s STP report were also noted. The tribunal observed that several STPs in areas like Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Pauri, and Chamoli were underused, while others in Haridwar and Tehri received more sewage than their capacity. The report lacked details on STP flooding or backflow incidents.
Regarding untreated sewage, the tribunal noted that 63 untapped drains were directly discharging into the Ganga and its tributaries. It highlighted that all drains in towns like Kashipur, Bazpur, and Kitchha in Udham Singh Nagar district were untapped.
The tribunal directed the state to include clear, time-bound actions in its next report to prevent untreated sewage with BOD and FC loads from reaching the Ganga or its tributaries.
The next hearing is scheduled for February 13.
With inputs from the agency
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