'Serious Environment Degradation' : Supreme Court Expresses Concerns About Plastic Pollution In River Banks & Water Bodies
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns about the increasing plastic pollution in river banks and water bodies which is affecting aquatic life.
“..it came to light that there is wide spread use of plastic in the areas which are to be kept free from such pollution potential products. The dumping of plastic is causing serious environment degradation and also impacting aquatic life in the river banks and the water bodies in the country,” the Court observed.
The Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti added that the desired improvement in the quality of water will remain illusory unless there are concerted efforts by the responsible authorities.
“Unless concerted effort is made by the responsible authorities with people's cooperation, irrespective of the efforts to target illegal/unauthorized constructions, the desired improvement of the quality of the water in river Ganga/all other rivers and water bodies in the country will remain illusory.”
In view of this, the Court asked the Union as well as the State of Bihar to file an affidavit regarding the above environmental concerns expressed by it.
The Bench raised this concern while hearing a civil appeal regarding the removal of unauthorized structures adjacent to the river Ganga in and around the city of Patna.
Previously, the Court had ordered the State to file an affidavit reporting the progress in the removal of these structures. Apart from this, the Court had also asked the State to ensure that no further construction takes place adjacent to the river Ganga.
Through its present order, the Court clarified that the above order pertained to illegal construction and unauthorized encroachment.
Case Details: ASHOK KUMAR SINHA v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS., Civil Appeal No(s).3367/2020