NGT finds Karnataka river rejuvenation plan ‘incomplete’

BENGALURU: An action plan drafted by

Karnataka’s river rejuvenation committee

, outlining the steps the government intends to take to improve the quality of its polluted rivers, has been termed ‘incomplete’ by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT has now given the state time till January 31 to submit a more comprehensive report.


Tasked with preparing an action plan to ensure the rivers are at least fit for bathing within six months, the state committee was formed a month ago on directions from the NGT. The tribunal had noted that as per the assessment of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there were 351 polluted river stretches in the country, 17 of which were in Karnataka.

Last month, on receiving the action plans from the 16 states where these rivers flowed, the tribunal listed out their shortcomings: lack of baseline data and sewage treatment plant (STP) details, tasking third parties with preparation of action plans, prolonged timelines, non-submission of status of e-flow and absence of proposal to web host the action plans to involve educational and other institutions and the public in the endeavour.

“The CPCB will examine the action plans and only if they meet the scientific and technical yardsticks will it approve them,” the NGT said. After the approval, the states shall place/host these action plans on their respective websites, providing details like execution timelines, agencies responsible for execution and matching budgetary provisions.

“As per the NGT order, the action plans were to be prepared along the lines of the Hindon River action plan. However, this did not include any budgetary provisions or information on the river’s flow. We have now written to the deputy commissioners of the districts, asking them to furnish information on the conditions and costs involved in setting up STPs in their areas. We will have another meeting in the third week of January to finalise the plan,” said an official from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

Hindon is a tributary of Yamuna and flows in Uttar Pradesh.

The NGT has also directed the states to set up a special environment surveillance task force in each of the districts where these rivers flow. On January 3, Karnataka constituted 15 such committees, which will be charged with overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the action plans, identifying persons responsible for violations so that action can be taken against them, ensuring no illegal mining takes place on the riverbeds of polluted stretches and submitting a monthly action-taken report to the state-level river rejuvenation committee.

Dists with task forces

Ramanagara, Mysuru, Belagavi, Davanagere, Haveri, Ballari, Shivamogga, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kalaburagi, Uttara Kannada, Raichur, Bagalkot,

Dakshina Kannada

and Hassan