Rs.50,000 fine for dumping waste in river Ganga

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday declared 100 metres from the edge of River Ganga as a ‘No-Development Zone’ in the stretch between Haridwar in Uttarakhand and Unnao in Uttar Pradesh.

“There shall be no dumping of waste of any kind within 500 metres from the edge of River Ganga,” said NGT.

Taking steps towards cleaning the river, the tribunal said that Uttar Pradesh should be “duty-bound” to shift tanneries from Jajmau to Unnao or any other place it considers appropriate within six weeks.

The NGT also declared an environment compensation of ₹50,000 on anyone who dumps waste in River Ganga. UP and Uttarakhand were directed to formulate guidelines for religious activities on the ghats of Ganga or its tributaries.

NGT has formed a supervisory committee to oversee implementation of directions passed in its 543-page judgement and submit report to it.