The Supreme Court of India has expressed deep concern over the escalating issue of plastic dumping in rivers, including the Ganga, and other waterbodies across the country. In a recent ruling, the court has instructed the Central Government to implement stringent measures to prevent such environmental degradation and ensure that cleanup efforts are effective and not merely symbolic.
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S. V. N. Bhatti highlighted the widespread issue of plastic pollution, particularly in areas that should be protected from such pollutants. The judges noted that the indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste is causing significant harm to the environment and adversely affecting aquatic life along riverbanks and in waterbodies.
The court emphasized that unless concerted efforts are made by authorities, with the cooperation of the public, to address illegal constructions and pollution, improvements in water quality in the Ganga and other rivers will remain unattainable. The bench has ordered the Centre to file an affidavit within four weeks detailing the steps being taken to tackle these issues.
Additionally, the Supreme Court took note of illegal encroachments along the banks of the Ganga in Bihar and has requested a response from the government regarding these encroachments. The court’s concerns were partly prompted by a plea from Patna resident Ashok Kumar Sinha, challenging a June 2020 order from the National Green Tribunal that had dismissed his plea against illegal constructions on the floodplains of the Ganga.
Last year, the Supreme Court had directed the Bihar government to remove unauthorized constructions from the Ganga floodplains, particularly around Patna. The ongoing issues highlight the need for robust measures to protect India’s vital water resources from pollution and encroachment.
