Gujarat HC issues notices to GPCB chairman and IAS officers over water pollution in three villages

The matter pertains to the water pollution in three ponds of Bhetavada, Trasad and Nesda villages. A resident of one of the three villages, Naranbhai Patel, had moved the PIL before the court through his lawyer Hardik Shah in 2018 seeking redressal of his grievances of water pollution in the three villages allegedly because of the Dholka Nagarpalika and industries in the vicinity.

Despite multiple orders from the court, the issue of pollution, however, has remained unresolved.

Finally, on September 4, the court passed an order asking the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to prepare a report and submit it before the court. Along with the report, the petitioner’s advocate also submitted the test reports of the water samples of the concerned ponds of the villages.

In its order, the court observed, “Perusal of the sample reports would reveal that the water in the ponds of the aforesaid Panchayats appears to be polluted and the Sewage Treatment Plan (STP) is not functioning in its full capacity.”

It is opined in the report that “Considering the physical appearance, smell and strong presence of fickle colly form, the sample represents partially treated domestic waste water diluted with the rain water.”

As it was opined that there is a presence of sewage/waste water along with other parameters, as mentioned in the reports of the water bodies of the villages Trasad, Bhetavada and Nesda. Thus, they appear to be in defiance of the directions issued by this court. Hence, we are left with no other option but to initiate the contempt proceedings against the persons who are responsible for the pollution in the water bodies of the aforesaid Panchayats. It is not in dispute that the villagers are using the ponds for their agricultural purpose and they are constrained to yield the produce, which stands out of such polluted water,” the court further observed.

The court posted the matter for further hearing on October 3 while directing the concerned officers to “sort out” the issues raised in the PIL and come up with a “concrete plan” to curb the water pollution in the ponds of the three villages.