The Supreme Court expressed concern over the dumping of plastic waste on riverbanks and in water bodies across the country.
“There is widespread use of plastic in areas meant to remain free from pollution. Dumping plastic causes serious environmental degradation and impacts aquatic life on riverbanks and in water bodies nationwide.
“Without a concerted effort by responsible authorities and public cooperation, improving water quality in the Ganga and other rivers and water bodies will remain illusory,” said a Bench led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy while addressing a plea for the removal of illegal encroachments near the Ganga in Patna, Bihar.
The Bench, including Justice SVN Bhatti, asked the Union government, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and Bihar government to file an affidavit within four weeks addressing the issues raised in the appeal and the environmental concerns about plastic waste dumping.
A Patna resident filed the appeal, highlighting that in several floodplain areas, residential buildings and houses are digging borewells without permission from authorities.
“Over 520 acres of ecologically sensitive Ganga floodplains, from Nauzer Ghat to Nurpur Ghat in Patna, have been usurped,” said the Special Leave Petition by advocate Akash Vashishtha, noting that state agencies, instead of acting against illegal constructions, were providing them with electricity connections.
In December last year, the top court ordered the Bihar government to ensure no further construction occurs adjacent to the Ganga, particularly around Patna.
“The state shall report to this court the progress in removing unauthorized structures by filing an affidavit. The Chief Secretary of Bihar shall file this affidavit,” it had ordered.
The Supreme Court noted that the state government identified 213 unauthorized constructions adjacent to the Ganga in Patna and took steps to remove these encroachments. The court clarified that steps would also ensure no further illegal construction or unauthorized encroachment occurs near the Ganga, particularly around Patna.
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