National Green Tribunal calls for report on Hindon clean-up

The National Green Tribunal on Thursday directed the principal secretary of environment, Uttar Pradesh to take immediate steps for improving the condition of the Hindon river and submit a report by November 5. This was in view of some pictures submitted by NGO Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity (SPENBIO), which revealed how the Hindon is being severely polluted with industrial discharge.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the official to personally inspect the river with senior officers. “The photographs clearly show industrial discharge, indiscriminate dumping of municipal waste and sewage polluting the river,” the bench said.

The green tribunal also pulled up the UP government for not taking a clear stand on the issue and shifting responsibility for the deteriorating condition of the river.

“The principal secretary of environment with the head of departments of Ghaziabad Development Authority and municipal corporation of Noida and Urban Development of UP, shall personally visit Hindon, especially the location exhibited in the photographs placed on record and take immediate steps for remedying the situation,” the bench said.