Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding use of chemicals in cleaning water bodies, Pune, Maharashtra, 05/04/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News item titled "No permission provided for use of chemicals in cleaning water bodies: MPCB" appearing in The Hindustan Times dated 23.02.2024.
The application was registered suo motu on the basis of the news item titled "No permission provided for use of chemicals in cleaning water bodies: MPCB" appearing in ‘The Hindustan Times’ dated February 23, 2024.
The news item related to the decision of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to spray bio-enzyme or natural chemicals on rivers and lakes to deal with the problem of water pollution and water hyacinth. As per the news item, PMC came up with the idea of spraying bio enzymes or natural chemicals on rivers and lakes after the mosquito tornado video went viral on social media. The news item reveals that the PMC has sprayed a bio-enzyme on Ramnadi river of Bavdhan. It also reveals that subsequently the civic body has started using drones to spray insecticide on Mula Mutha river stretch along Keshav Nagar, Kharadi and Mundhwa.
The report by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has been filed disclosing that the use of Glyphosate has been restricted, as it involves health hazard and risk to human beings and that the MPCB has already issued a letter dated June 30, 2023 to the PMC.
A report on behalf of the PMC has also been filed stating that the PMC has sprayed Draynzyme on water hyacinth on trial basis on an area of 40 sq. feet stagnant water pool along Ramnadi. Counsel for the PMC has submitted that no such experiment will be done in future till the appropriate competent body gives a clearance in this regard.
The NGT opined that the permissibility of the spray of Draynzyme on water hyacinth needs to be first examined by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in coordination with ITRC, Lucknow and if it is found that it has no adverse effect on the ecology of the water body, then its use can be permitted in accordance with law. The NGT directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ascertain the feasibility of use of Draynzyme on water hyacinth/natural water bodies and submit a report before the Registrar of the Western Zonal Bench of the tribunal within four months.