The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday issued notice to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Environment and Forest among other authorities on a plea seeking an adequate flow of water in the Ganga
A bench headed by NGT acting chairperson U.D. Salvi sought replies from the authorities, including the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Water Resources and the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd, before March 8.
The directions came when the green panel was hearing a plea filed by environment activist Vikrant Tongad. He sought a direction from the court to ensure a minimum flow in the Ganga to maintain wildlife and river ecology.
It was alleged that a “substantial flow” of the Ganga was being diverted at Pashulok Barrage in Dehradun to a side canal for a hydroelectric power plant.
The petitioner alleged that due to the diversion, a stretch of the river from the barrage till Motichur in Haridwar had dried up. This in turn was adversely affecting aquatic life and river ecology.
