Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding pollution of Rankala lake and Panchganga river, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 22/05/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sunil Kemble Vs Union of India & Others dated 22/05/2019 regarding pollution of Rankala Lake at Kolhapur by dumping of sewage from Kolhapur city and from other points as well as pollution of Panchganga River. Officer from the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation has informed the Tribunal "that out of 12 nallas (drains) only 2 nallas, have been taped and 21 MLD/day untreated sewage is still being discharged into the river." Counsel for the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has stated that prosecution of the municipal corporation has been ordered.
The NGT while calling the situation serious and unsatisfactory which have been pending before the Tribunal for more than four years, directs the MPCB to take steps to prevent discharge of any polluting effluents into the lake and in the river and take action against any person responsible for such discharge and submit a report.