The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alarming pollution levels at Sakhi Lake in Hyderabad, primarily due to the discharge of pharmaceutical waste from nearby industries.
The petition is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item dated 22.09.2024.
As per the article, the lake has been contaminated by untreated pharmaceutical waste, which has led to a significant decline in water quality. This pollution is primarily attributed to nearby pharmaceutical industries that discharge their waste into the lake.
The news item further highlights that the contamination has resulted in the death of aquatic life and has made the water unsafe for human use. The lake, once a source of water for local communities, is now heavily polluted. The polluted water poses serious health risks to the local population, including skin diseases and other health issues related to exposure to toxic chemicals.
It is further alleged that despite previous warnings and reports, effective measures to curb the pollution have not been implemented.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms.
“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, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
– Telangana State Pollution Control Board
– Central Pollution Control Board
– Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
– District Magistrate (Hyderabad)
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 25.11.2024.