New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has
ordered closure of 19 tanneries for discharging pollutants
including heavy metals into drains in Punjab's Jalandhar
district which was resulting in serious environmental hazards.
A bench headed by former Chairperson Justice Swatanter
Kumar constituted a high powered committee to inspect 61
industries and directed it to prepare a complete and
comprehensive report on tanneries.
The report would submit report on source of water of
these tanneries, consumption of water, whether any flow meters
to the conveyor belts have been fixed and if they have
permission from Central Ground Water Authority.
"We direct that the 19 industries which according to the
Punjab Pollution Control Board, are non-compliant and are
polluting and they have been found to be violating various
parameters they are directed to be closed forthwith.
"They would not be permitted to carry their manufacturing
or any other tannery activity unless they submit appropriate
application for obtaining the consent of the Board," the bench
said.
The high powered committee would comprise Member
Secretary of state pollution control board, senior most
environmental engineer, nominated by the chairman of the
Central Pollution Control Board, representative not below the
rank of scientist from Environment Ministry and others.
"This committee shall personally inspect all the 61
industries, prepare a complete and comprehensive report
stating inter-alia source of water, consumption of water,
whether any flow meters to the conveyor belts have been fixed
or not, whether unit has permission from Central Ground Water
Authority or not.
"The number of tanning hides that are processed by the
industry, whether the unit is providing primary treatment and
it has its own chromium recovery plant. If the chromium is
recovered, how it is utilised, mode of management and disposal
of sludge and ultimate point of discharge," the bench said.
The direction came on a plea filed by local residents
Darshan Singh and others, residing in village Chamiyara,
alleging that tanneries in Jalandhar district were discharging
untreated effluent containing various pollutants like heavy
metals into the drains which joins river Satluj.
The plea claimed that numerous complaints were made to
the pollution control board but no appropriate action was
being taken against the industries.
PTI
