NGT orders inspection of areas around Nainital paper mill

New Delhi, January 18 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the inspection of areas around a paper mill in Nainital after a plea alleged the release of toxic liquid and solid waste in the reserve forest near it.

A Bench headed by acting Chairperson Justice UD Salvi ordered the Central and Uttarakhand pollution control boards to jointly inspect and collect soil and water samples from the areas around the Century Pulp and Paper Mill and the adjacent Gaula river within a month.

The green panel also directed the paper unit to install Mark II hand pumps at the villages of Bindukhatta and Shantipuri along the Paha drain in Udham Singh Nagar district within two months. Mark II is a human-powered pump designed to lift water from a depth of 50 metre or less.

“We direct Kamlesh Singh, scientist D from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), who has been  part of the joint inspection team, to point out the locations for installation of hand pumps to the Century Pulp and Paper Mill within a week.

“Respondent no 6 (Paper mill) is further directed to de-sludge the Paha nallah as suggested in remedial action plan and finish the work before the monsoon. Sludge removed shall be disposed of as per the advice of the CPCB,” the Bench said.

The NGT also directed the paper mill to submit a status report regarding the use of the treated effluents before March 16, the next date of hearing.

The tribunal had in 2016 directed the unit to pay Rs 30 lakh as environmental compensation for failing to manage pollution caused by effluents discharged from the mill. 

The NGT was hearing a plea of environmentalist Gauri Maulekhi, filed through advocate Rahul Choudhary, seeking directions to immediately stop discharge of harmful toxic effluents in the forest areas. — PTI