NGT directs CGWA to test ground water in western UP

The National Green Tribunal today directed the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to analyse ground water samples in six districts of western UP after a plea alleged that contaminated water in villages there was causing cancer.
A vacation bench, headed by Justice R S Rathore, asked the CGWA to conduct the test within four weeks and suggest appropriate remedial measures, if needed, to solve the problem on a permanent basis in the villages in Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad and Saharanpur districts.
"We consider it just and proper to direct the CGWA to make a study of the underground water in the affected areas so as to ascertain the cause of contamination i.E. Geogenic (resulting from geological processes) or man-made.

"We grant four weeks time to the CGWA for conducting the study and submit its report before the tribunal," the bench, also comprising expert member S S Garbyal, said.
The direction came after the counsel appearing for the Uttar Pradesh pollution control board told the bench that it will be appropriate to ascertain the reason for water contamination and find out whether it is geogenic or man-made.
The matter will be heard again on July 11.

The bench had earlier observed that it was the fundamental duty of the state government to look after the health and the environment of the villagers.

Earlier, the UP Jal Nigam had faced the NGT's ire for its failure to comply with a 2015 order directing it to seal all handpumps which were releasing contaminated groundwater in six districts of the western part of the state.
The green panel was hearing a petition filed by NGO Doaba Paryavaran Samiti, a retired scientist of the Haryana pollution control board, alleging that due to consumption of contaminated groundwater, over 50 villagers have died due to cancer in western Uttar Pradesh.
Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, appearing for the petitioner, sought that heavy cost be imposed on the state authorities so that they learn a lesson as children were also dying after drinking contaminated water.

He contended that the people were suffering due to the failure of the authorities.