SC Stays Uttarakhand HC’s Order Declaring Ganga And Yamuna Rivers As Living Legal Entities [Read Order]

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Uttarakhand High Court order declaring the rivers Ganga and Yamuna as having the status of a legal person with all corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person.

The High Court had, in March this year, made the declaration, observing that this was needed to be done in order to “protect the recognition and the faith of society.”

The Bench comprising Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Alok Singh had then observed, “All the Hindus have deep Astha in rivers Ganga and Yamuna and they collectively connect with these rivers. Rivers Ganga and Yamuna are central to the existence of half of Indian population and their health and well being. The rivers have provided both physical and spiritual sustenance to all of us from time immemorial. Rivers Ganga and Yamuna have spiritual and physical sustenance. They support and assist both the life and natural resources and health and well-being of the entire community. Rivers Ganga and Yamuna are breathing, living and sustaining the communities from mountains to sea.”

It had, therefore, declared the Director of NAMAMI Gange, the Chief Secretary of the State of Uttarakhand and the Advocate General of the State of Uttarakhand as persons in loco parentis, as the human face to protect, conserve and preserve the rivers and their tributaries.

The Centre had soon after approached the Apex Court, citing administrative problems. “The High Court order of March 20 which stated that the Chief Secretary and the Advocate General would act as the legal parents of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers,” Uttarakhand Minister and State Government spokesperson Madan Kaushik had said.

Since the matter of cleaning the Ganga is not just restricted to Uttarakhand, as it also flows through West Bengal, how could the Chief Secretary and the Advocate General tackle all the issues related to the river, he asked.

Read the Order Here
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