Polluted river stretches of India
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 6, 2019, directed that 100 per cent treatment of sewage for 351 polluted river stretches in India be ensured before March 31, 2020, along with setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and connecting all the drains to the STPs.
If the order was not implemented on time, the local bodies and concerned departments of the states / union territories will be liable to pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh per month per drain, for default in-situ remediation and Rs 5 lakh for setting up of the STP.
Musi river pollution
The NGT on December 6, directed necessary the Urban Development Department, Telangana, Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad and the Telangana State Pollution Control Board to take remedial action to clean up the Musi river in Hyderabad, which was reported to be contaminated due to industrial and domestic sewage discharged into the river or into the drains connected thereto.
Stone crushers in Rajmahal hills
The NGT on December 5, directed that a report be submitted on the details of stone mines and crushers operating in the Rajmahal hills of Jharkhand's Sahebganj district.
The NGT order came in the wake of applications alleging severe damage caused to the environment by operation of quarrying and crushing units in the Rajmahal hills.