NGT Directs Punjab Pollution Control Board on Buddha Nullah Pollution, IIT-Ropar Study Awarded
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a firm stance on addressing the persistent pollution in water bodies across Punjab, with a specific focus on the critically affected Buddha Nullah. In a recent development, the tribunal noted that the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has disclosed in an affidavit that IIT-Ropar has been awarded a significant contract to conduct a comprehensive study titled 'Source Apportionment and Comprehensive Investigation of Pollution in Buddha Dariya'. This study, valued at nearly Rs 1.45 crore, is poised to play a pivotal role in the state's river rejuvenation initiatives.
Scientific Foundation for River Rejuvenation
The primary objective of the IIT-Ropar study is to establish a robust scientific foundation for efforts aimed at reviving polluted rivers in Punjab. By identifying the exact sources and extent of contamination, the research will empower regulators, industrial stakeholders, and local municipal bodies to implement highly targeted interventions. This data-driven approach is expected to enhance compliance monitoring mechanisms and ultimately restore the ecological integrity and socio-economic value of not only Buddha Nullah but also the interconnected Satluj river system. The institute is projected to complete this critical study by March 31, providing a timely blueprint for action.
NGT's Concerns Over Monitoring and Permanent Solutions
While hearing the case concerning pollution in the water channel, the NGT expressed serious reservations about the current monitoring framework. The tribunal observed that despite investigations by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the PPCB into discharge points from Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and downstream locations, the sample analysis results obtained by the MoEFCC may not accurately reflect the true pollution scenario.
The NGT emphasized that a permanent, sustainable solution is imperative to ensure that Buddha Nullah remains protected from pollution by industrial units and other violators, even during periods when active tribunal monitoring is not in place. The bench explicitly directed that the MoEFCC and PPCB must incorporate this critical consideration into their strategies for resolving the pollution crisis in the nullah.
Enforcement Actions and Environmental Advocacy
In its directive, the NGT also stated that the Punjab Pollution Control Board is required to take necessary enforcement actions, including the imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) on industries found to be non-compliant with established environmental norms and standards. This move underscores the tribunal's commitment to holding polluters accountable.
The pro-environment advocacy group, the Public Action Committee (PAC), welcomed the tribunal's observations. The committee noted that the NGT's stance highlights a growing judicial consensus that temporary or ad-hoc fixes for severe environmental issues like river pollution are no longer acceptable. The push is now firmly towards institutionalizing long-term, scientifically-backed remediation plans.
This case, originating from concerns raised in Bathinda, represents a significant step in the legal and administrative efforts to combat water pollution in Punjab, setting a precedent for how scientific research and regulatory enforcement must converge to tackle ecological degradation.
