Srinagar: Once-pristine rivers of Kashmir, including Doodh Ganga and Mamath Kull, are suffering from severe pollution due to mismanagement of sewage and waste. In response, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a final warning to the municipal authorities of Chadoora, Budgam, and Srinagar.
The NGT’s directive follows accusations that these municipalities have been discharging untreated sewage and mishandling waste, causing widespread pollution in vital water bodies. During a recent hearing, the NGT granted a four-week extension for the municipalities to present a detailed reply, on the condition that they each deposit Rs 10,000 with the Registrar General within a week.
This development comes after the NGT imposed significant fines for ongoing pollution issues, with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation recently penalized Rs 41.47 crore for discharging untreated sewage into Doodh Ganga. Budgam and Chadoora authorities were similarly fined Rs 3.72 crore and Rs 1.41 crore, respectively, for poor waste management practices.
Presiding over the case, NGT Justices Prakash Shrivastava, Arun Kumar Tyagi, and Dr. A. Senthil Vel stressed that this would be the last opportunity for the municipalities to provide a full response, including their plans for sewage and waste treatment. They also voiced frustration over the repeated delays, noting that despite three years of hearings and multiple warnings, local bodies have yet to supply essential data.
The issue was brought to the NGT’s attention by environmental activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who has persistently raised concerns about unchecked pollution and waste mismanagement. His case, grounded in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, has drawn attention to the significant environmental impact on Doodh Ganga and Mamath Kull.
A recent report by the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (J&KPCC) echoed these concerns, documenting ongoing pollution and critiquing local authorities for inadequate responses to previous notices. The NGT has now mandated that these municipalities submit comprehensive updates, detailing plans for achieving 100% waste treatment compliance by February 2025.
Additionally, the J&KPCC has been directed to file a follow-up report on enforcement efforts by February 11, 2025, ahead of the next NGT hearing scheduled for February 18, 2025.
