Karnataka Government Finally Gives In To NGT Pressure, Forms Committees To Fight Air, Water Pollution

Government of Karnataka has constituted two high-level committees to deal with air and water pollution in the state, after the pressure exerted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The timeline for the next six months has been chalked out to initiate the cleaning process.

A petitioner who appealed to the NGT last month informed the body that five cities from Karnataka have broken the parameters and have been polluting air and water bodies excessively. A survey had been cited, which revealed that up to 10,000 people in Bengaluru died prematurely in 2016.

After this, NGT asked the government to monitor the air quality and keep an eye out for pollutants. A six-member team that is spearheaded by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department’s Principal Secretary will suggest measures to be adopted.

Deccan Herald quoted a senior officer from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as saying, “The NGT noted that the major violation of standard was of particulate matter (PM10) (substances that are less than 10 micrometres with sources such as vehicular, industrial pollution, stubble burning, road dust, construction and demolition, roadside eateries and DG sets).”

Nearly 17 river stretches in Karnataka are facing severe pollution. In response, the NGT had asked the states to maintain the biological oxygen demand levels less than 3mg/l and Faecal coliform less than 500 MPN/100 ml.