NGT Rebukes Uttarakhand Over Inadequate Sewage Treatment in Badrinath

Keywords: National Green Tribunal, Uttarakhand, Badrinath, Sewage Treatment, Ganga River Pollution

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reprimanded Uttarakhand authorities for failing to substantiate claims of adequate sewage treatment facilities in Badrinath, a key pilgrimage site. The tribunal was addressing concerns about the discharge of untreated sewage into the Ganga River due to insufficient sewage treatment infrastructure.

Tribunal’s Observations

In its November 13 order, a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, alongside Justices Arun Kumar Tyagi, Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member Afroz Ahmad, noted:

1. Lack of Evidence: Uttarakhand’s Urban Development Secretary, appearing virtually, failed to provide any material evidence supporting the existence of adequate sewage treatment plants (STPs). Only oral assertions were made, which the bench dismissed as baseless.
2. Failure of Appearance: The state’s Environment Secretary did not appear before the tribunal despite previous directives. No formal exemption request was filed, reflecting a casual approach to compliance.

Directions to Authorities

The NGT issued a series of directives to address the issue comprehensively:

• Submit details of daily sewage generation, particularly during peak pilgrim footfall.
• Provide information on:
  • Drains and their capacity to transport sewage to the STPs.
  • Volume of untreated sewage discharged into the Ganga River.
  • Capacity and utilization of existing STPs.
  • Sample analysis reports of treated sewage discharged from STPs.
• Outline the methodology used to calculate sewage generation.

Concerns Raised by the NGT

The tribunal expressed dissatisfaction over the apparent lack of accountability and preparedness on the part of the Uttarakhand government, emphasizing the critical need for effective waste management in an ecologically sensitive region. The discharge of untreated sewage into the Ganga, especially in a holy town like Badrinath, raises serious environmental and public health concerns.

Significance of the Order

This development underscores the NGT’s role in ensuring environmental accountability and protecting the sacred Ganga River from pollution. With Badrinath witnessing high pilgrim footfall, addressing sewage management is essential to maintain the region’s ecological and cultural sanctity.

The tribunal’s insistence on detailed data and compliance reflects a shift towards enforcing scientific waste management solutions and deterring casual approaches to environmental obligations by state authorities.

Next Steps

Uttarakhand authorities must promptly address the tribunal’s queries and implement remedial measures to improve sewage treatment facilities in Badrinath. Failure to act could lead to further judicial intervention and penalties.

The case serves as a reminder of the urgent need for sustainable urban planning in pilgrimage towns and eco-sensitive zones across India.

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