NGT orders govt to curb Narmada river pollution:Plastic ban within 100 metres mandated, state told to submit detailed action taken report soon

To curb pollution in the Narmada River caused by sewage and dairy waste, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued strict directions to the state government. The tribunal has directed the government to submit a detailed action-taken report within three months, outlining measures adopted to control river pollution. The NGT has also ordered the removal of dairy units located along the riverbanks. The matter will be reviewed after the compliance report is submitted. Case filed over continuous river pollution The directions were issued by the NGT’s Bhopal bench while hearing a petition filed by Dr P.G. Najpande, patron of the Citizens Consumer Forum. The petition highlighted the continuous pollution of the Narmada due to untreated sewage and dairy effluents. During the hearing, the tribunal instructed the state government to clearly demarcate the Narmada floodplain and remove all permanent constructions from restricted areas. Plastic ban ordered within 100 metres of river The NGT has ordered a complete ban on plastic use within a 100-metre radius of the Narmada River. The move aims to prevent plastic waste from entering the river and further damaging the environment. The tribunal directed the Principal Secretary of the Environment Department to ensure that district collectors shift dairy units located along the banks of the Narmada, Pariyat, and Gaur rivers, so that dairy waste does not flow directly into the rivers. Only 12 out of 16 STPs functional The hearing also revealed that out of 16 sewage treatment plants (STPs) installed in Jabalpur, only 12 are currently operational. Four STPs located at Gaurighat, Lalpur, Ranitāl, and Gulao Talab are non-functional. The NGT noted that non-operational STPs are a major obstacle to cleaning the Narmada and ordered the authorities to take corrective action and submit a report within three months. Floodplain demarcation and removal of constructions Dr Najpande said the tribunal has clearly directed authorities to first demarcate the Narmada floodplain and immediately remove all permanent constructions from the area. Orders were also issued to relocate dairy units from the riverbanks to ensure clean and pollution-free water. The tribunal observed that with several STPs still shut, the Narmada’s purification process remains incomplete and requires urgent improvement.