Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding restoration of Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla, Shivrampally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 15/06/2021
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Lubna Sarwath Vs Govt. of Telangana dated 15/06/2021.
Restoration of Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla a historic heritage water body of around 104 acres, opposite National Police Academy, Shivrampally, Hyderabad, is the question for consideration. On receiving a complaint that water body was being destroyed by dumping of waste and sewage and encroachment, NGT vide order, September 10, 2018 directed the Urban Development Department of Telangana and the Telangana State Pollution Control Board to look into the matter.
Thereafter, the NGT in its order, December 21, 2018 said that the SPCB had failed to take coercive measures against the polluters and the Urban Development Department and the concerned local body had failed to perform their statutory obligations.
A report filed with the NGT by the SPCB, March 22, 2021 said that sewage streams are still joining the lake and the water quality is of ‘E’ category.
The NGT, June 15, 2021 said that the NGT passed its first order in the matter, September 10, 2018 and called for immediate remedial action. Even after repeated orders by the NGT on December 21, 2018 and May 21, 2019 - it was seen that no adequate steps had been taken by the appropriate authorities.
There is continuing violation of the statutory provisions and of the Supreme Court judgement, February 22, 2017 (Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti Vs Union of India) - directing that norms for generating funds for effective pollution control devices to prevent water pollution be finalized before March 31, 2017 and prevention of discharge of sewage be ensured by March 31, 2018 failing which the Secretary of the concerned department of the state would be held accountable.
The bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Geol while giving last opportunity for compliance, directed the Secretary of the concerned Departments, i.e., Local Bodies/Urban Development/Local Self Department and the Member Secretary, Telangana State Pollution Control Board to remain personally present by video conferencing on the next date of hearing (October 21, 2021).
The court made it clear that while giving compliance status to the court by the concerned authorities, the following things must be taken care of:
- Sewage being discharged into the lake must be diverted to the destined STP
- the treated sewage was being utilised
- the water quality of the lake must at least stand at category 'C'.