The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently directed Rajasthan to pay an interim compensation of ₹100 crores for damage to the environment, including pollution of the Dravyavati River.
The NGT also formed a 10-member joint committee to plan & oversee remedial action & said the compensation amount has to be utilized for the restoration of the environment.
The Tribunal heard two pleas claiming violation of environmental norms by the industries which adversely impacted the water quality of the river.
A bench of chairperson Justice AK Goel noted a report by a panel constituted earlier & said it presented a “dismal picture” of the area. The industrial siting was faulty, most industries were located in the non-conforming areas & industrial effluents were being discharged into the Dravyavati River & Chandalai & Nevta dams.
The bench, comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal & expert members A Senthil Vel & Afroz Ahmad, stated industrial operations that caused damage to the feeder canals, the river & dams, & the report didn’t mention the groundwater quality of the Dravyavati river.
