[Pollution Of Ganga Tributaries In Varanasi] NGT Constitutes Independent Monitoring Committee For Restoration And Rejuvenation Of Rivers Varuna And Assi

The National Green Tribunal has on Thursday constituted an independent Monitoring Committee for the purpose of restoration and rejuvenation of the rivers Varuna and Assi, tributaries to river Ganga, in Varanasi.

The Committee comprises of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Board, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and District Magistrate, Varanasi, with the State PCB acting as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.

A bench headed by Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel has stated that the Committee will be at liberty to take assistance of any other expert or institution, including an Agency dealing in rejuvenating works. Further, the Committee may meet within two weeks and review the action plan on the subject in light of the pre-existing action plans with the necessary modifications.

The Tribunal has further directed the National Mission for Clean Ganga to give an action taken report in the matter before 4th August, based on the Committee's report and covering the following details:

• Status on water quality of Assi and Varuna.

• Action taken on diversion and treatment of sewage, water quality of upstream and downstream of confluence of Assi and Varuna to River Ganga.

• Demarcation of Flood Plain Zones of Assi, Varuna and Ganga, in the said area, in accordance with the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.

The directions have been issued by the Tribunal on an application filed regarding pollution in rivers Varuna and Assi in Varanasi by discharge of untreated sewage and unauthorised constructions.

While considering the seriousness of the allegations but without expressing any opinion at this stage, the Tribunal found it appropriate to direct taking of remedial measures for restoration and rejuvenation of rivers Assi and Varuna by requiring the statutory authorities in the State of UP to perform their responsibility in accordance with Supreme Court's and the Tribunal's previous judgements and directions relating to control of pollution of Ganga.

According to the present application, cleaning of river Ganga cannot be imagined without first ensuring prevention of pollution of its tributaries. The application further pointed out that pollution of the said rivers is subject matter of various media reports, and water quality of river Ganga at Varanasi is in bad condition.

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