The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to the increasing water contamination in the Adyar Eco Park in Chennai, Tami Nadu.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item dated 18.06.2024.
As per the article, dead fish were seen floating near the eco-park and Sewage outfalls were also spotted at several places near Kotturpuram.
The article highlights that an obstruction at the river mouth or sewage overload could be the primary reasons for the fish kill since contamination can cause oxygen levels to go down.
The news item report states that among a string of orders pertaining to river pollution passed by the National Green Tribunal over the last few years, in November 2022, the Southern Bench had directed the State government to clean up rivers in Chennai, including the Adyar. However, sewage from multiple drains continues to contaminate the river.
The news item further highlights that a little up north of the Adyar, a feeder channel flowing through the Kotturpuram urban forest on River View Road was filled with sewage.
It states that regular complaints over the last couple of years have not yielded any permanent solutions. At the southern end of Lock Street, a constant stream of sewage was found flowing into the Adyar from a channel on the banks of the river.
It is also alleged that commercial establishments close to the river illegally released sewage into the waterway.
The above matter indicated Bench violation of the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi , Dr. A. Senthil Vel and Dr. Afroz Ahmad impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
i. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary.
ii. Central Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary.
iii. Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Through its Managing Director .
iv. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
v. Chennai River Restoration Trust, Through its Member Secretary.
vi. District Magistrate, Chennai .
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents.
Since the matter relates to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai, therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Southern Zonal Bench for appropriate further action.Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Southern Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 13.09.2024.