A Division Bench of the National Green Tribunal, Southern Zone, has imposed fine ranging between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 8 lakh on 13 fish meal units operating in Ullal after finding them guilty of polluting estuary waters by discharging untreated effluents. It has ordered the closure of one fish meal unit that has been operating illegally in violation of the Coastal Regulatory Zone notification of 1991.
The order was passed on a petition by Mohammed Kabir who had pointed out environment degradation and pollution caused by Indian Fish Meal and Oil Products and 13 other fish meal and fish oil manufacturing units.
In its order on July 8, the Division Bench, comprising Judicial Member P. Jyothimani and Expert Member P.S. Rao, observed that these fish meal and fish oil manufacturing units have violated pollution control norms and discharged untreated effluents into estuary waters. The stench and foul smell emanating from the untreated effluents caused nuisance and health hazard.
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Applying the principle of polluter pays, the Division Bench imposed fine on 13 units for their failure to take adequate pollution control measures. A fine of Rs. 8 lakh was imposed on Fahad Fish Meal and Oil Co., Mangaluru Fish Meal and Oil Co., United Marine Products, Mangaluru Sea Products and Haris Marina Products. A fine of Rs. 5 lakh was imposed on Indian Fish Meal and Oil Products, S.N. Marine Products, Indo Fish Meal Co., Super Aqua Tech, Mangaluru Marine Products, Ullal Fish Meal and Oil Co., Bawa Fish Meal and Oil Co. and Shariff Marine Products.
The Division Bench has imposed a fine of Rs. 25 lakh on Fishmeal and Oil Manufacturing Association, which is the association of fish meal and fish oil units, for its failure to operate the Common Effluent Treatment Plant. The failure to operate the plant properly had caused pollution and consequently, damaged environment, the Division Bench observed.
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The Asian Fish Meal and Oil Co., the Division Bench said, has been operating in violation of the 1991 notification. Hence, it ordered closure of the unit. The owners of the unit have been directed to vacate the land by August 7.