Ganga's plight is no different from that of the 'holy cow'

Pollution load in the river Ganga has increased by nearly four times from 2009 to 2016 in the stretch between Haridwar to Kanpur

In 1985, the Supreme Court of India issued directions to various authorities to clean up the river Ganga. The Supreme Court's intervention in M C Mehta versus the Union of India was seen as unprecedented at that time. The apex court became the epitome of judicial activism and innovation. The concept of 'continuing mandamus', the 'Polluter Pay Principle' and 'liberal locus standi', led to judgements of the Supreme Court being quoted the world over. Environmental jurisprudence in India was born principally out of the various orders to clean the most polluted, yet, sacred river. The 'Ganga Pollution case' as it