The National Green Tribunal has directed multiple central and state authorities to urgently act on recommendations by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) for preserving native fish species in the Yamuna River, expressing concern over their alarming decline due to increasing pollution and unregulated release of exotic species.
The tribunal, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel, took suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report based on a CIFRI survey that showed a worrying drop in Indian fish species like Catla, Rohu, Nayan, Mahasheer, and others in the Yamuna. Simultaneously, there has been a surge in non-native species like Thai Mangur, Tilapia, Common Carp, and Silver Carp, which have disrupted the river’s aquatic biodiversity.
The NGT attributed this biodiversity imbalance primarily to river pollution and ineffective implementation of conservation programs.
The bench emphasized that despite various schemes and interventions, “the population of native fishes has shown a declining trend.” It stressed the need for re-evaluating and strengthening existing strategies on the ground.
Key directions issued include:
- To CPCB, DJB, and NMCG:
- Accelerate the installation and operation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in all urban local bodies (ULBs) along the Yamuna.
- Ensure that treated water meets standards suitable for aquatic life.
- Enforce strict compliance with effluent norms for all municipal and industrial discharges.
- Monitor river water quality continuously for dissolved oxygen, BOD, ammonia, and heavy metals.
- To Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh:
- Urgently implement the ICAR-CIFRI recommendations, including:
- Banning illegal fishing gear and exotic fish release for rituals.
- Enforcing strategic fish ranching and proper record-keeping of catches.
- Raising public awareness on fish conservation.
- Maintaining minimum ecological flow in the Yamuna.
- Urgently implement the ICAR-CIFRI recommendations, including:
- To MoEF&CC, Central Water Commission & Irrigation Departments:
- Maintain river flow levels conducive to fish breeding and migration.
- Remove obstructions or construct fish ladders at major barrages like Wazirabad, Okhla, and Hathnikund to assist species such as Mahasheer.
The tribunal also called upon the National Fisheries Development Board and State Fisheries Departments to:
- Enforce zoning and licensing of aquaculture units.
- Prohibit farming of invasive species like Thai Mangur (Clarias gariepinus).
- Encourage native species aquaculture through incentives.
It further directed ICAR-CIFRI, the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, and state agencies to:
- Release fingerlings of native species post-monsoon.
- Establish hatcheries for Indian Major Carps and Mahasheer.
- Declare ecologically rich river stretches as conservation zones.
The Ministry of Environment and other scientific institutions were asked to boost research on ecological interactions, species decline, and breeding biology. The tribunal insisted on integrating Yamuna-specific conservation plans with national inland fisheries policy and basin-level water governance.
Strict penalties were ordered for illegal introduction of exotic fish species into the river system.
With these directions, the NGT has formally disposed of the matter, while placing the onus of timely and effective action on both central and state bodies to restore the ecological balance of one of India’s most sacred but heavily polluted rivers.
