West Bengal: NGT issues warning as Ganga declared unfit for bathing amid untreated sewage concerns

West Bengal: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sounded the alarm on West Bengal's failure to address untreated sewage flowing into the Ganga River, which posed a serious health and environmental threat. Following a review of efforts to control pollution in the river across various states, the NGT found that the entire stretch of the Ganga within West Bengal is unfit for bathing due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. 

The alarming discovery originated from a report submitted by the state in response to earlier directives aimed at tackling the issue. NGT Chairperson, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, expressed deep concern, noting reports from nine districts, including North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, and Malda. 

Lack of sewage treatment facilities raises concerns

These reports revealed a critical lack of sewage treatment facilities, with districts like Purba Medinipur shockingly lacking even a single Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The NGT sternly warned West Bengal authorities of potential fines if they fail to demonstrate significant progress in tackling the issue. The tribunal found insufficient sewage treatment infrastructure and a lack of a concrete timeline for achieving 100% sewage treatment.

"The condition reflected in these reports is far from satisfactory," the NGT stated, highlighting the direct discharge of 258.67 million liters per day of untreated sewage into the river.

NGT directs DM's accountability

Furthermore, the tribunal further directed the District Magistrates (DMs) of the affected districts to submit affidavits outlining a clear timeline to achieve 100% sewage treatment. Moreover, the DMs must account for the utilization of funds received from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and explain their progress in floodplain demarcation.

Progress report awaits

The NGT also directed the NMCG to conduct a performance audit of each district, assessing their waste generation, treatment, and contribution to river pollution. "We do not find any progress in reducing pollutants discharged into the Ganga in any district." The tribunal warned of imposing Environmental Compensation (EC) if substantial progress is not demonstrated in the next report, expected within eight weeks.