The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and other relevant authorities demanding answers regarding the escalating pollution in the Sindh nullah, located in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. This action follows a suo motu cognisance by the NGT, sparked by a media report highlighting official indifference to the pollution crisis afflicting this vital waterbody.
The Sindh nullah, a major tributary of the Jhelum River, is crucial for irrigation, hydropower generation, and as a source of drinking water for Srinagar through the Rangil Water Treatment Plant. However, recent reports indicate that what was once a pristine water source has now been severely polluted due to unregulated dumping of waste.
A bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad emphasized the seriousness of the environmental violations mentioned in the report. “The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms,” they noted in their order.
As part of their directive, the tribunal has called upon the Jammu regional office of the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, the deputy commissioner of Ganderbal, and the commissioner of the fisheries department in the union territory to respond. These parties are required to file their replies via affidavit at least one week before the next scheduled hearing on December 11.
Further, the NGT specified that if any respondent chooses to file their reply directly without an advocate, they must remain virtually present during the proceedings to assist the tribunal.
