NGT tells PCB to act against industrial pollution in Jodhpur

JODHPUR: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) to take immediate action under environmental laws against industrial units polluting the city of Jodhpur and its adjoining areas.

While hearing petitions filed for the prevention of industrial pollution in Jodhpur and adjoining areas, a division bench, comprising Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore and expert member Satyawan Singh Garbyal directed the State Pollution Control Board to immediately take appropriate action against the defaulting units, in accordance with various acts including the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

“A report has been submitted by General Manager, Regional Remote Sensing Center, West, Jodhpur.the Centre has taken remote sensing photographs through the satellites. Thereafter, the spots are sought to be identified on the ground in accordance to the satellite photographs received. So far six or seven spots have been identified on the ground. It is essential that spots on the ground be identified, as per the satellite images, and to note the field observations. Therefore, we direct the Remote Sensing Centre to identify the other spots on the ground on the basis of satellite imageries so as to enable to take samples for testing of the effluents at those spots,”the bench said.

“We direct the Central Pollution Control Board to depute a Senior Scientist for the purpose who shall immediately contact the Regional Remote Sensing Center for identification of the spots on the ground and to take samples of the effluent lying therein and test report be submitted at the earliest,”the NGT ordered.

A compliance affidavit has been filed by Dr. Sunil Kumar Jain, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board, Western Region. As per the affidavit, inspection of industries was started on September 25, 2019 and up to November 20, 1116 units had been inspected.