The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to Noida authority’s alleged action of dumping treated waste water into the drains instead of recycling it for irrigation purposes.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item dated 11.06.2024.
As per the article, treated water is wasted in place of getting reused, and precious ground water is being used for irrigation purposes in a misuse of the resource.
It is claimed by the Noida authority that it has issued a general direction to the water and horticulture department to use the treated wastewater for irrigation of the city’s parks, green belts along the roads and all kinds of green cover in the city. However as per the article instead of wastewater, groundwater is being used for the same.
It is alleged that Noida authority staff are using the groundwater for irrigation in Sector 74, 75, 116 and 117 areas against its rules.
The above matter indicated Bench violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
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 and Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
i. Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary.
ii. Noida Authority, Through its Chairman .
iii. District Magistrate, Noida.
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents and listed the matter on 16.10.2024