The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed all states and union territories to nominate a nodal agency in view of not taking adequate steps for conservation of water bodies. The nodal agency will submit reports from time to time to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Power.
The NGT directed that the Nodal Agency designated under the supervision of the Chief Secretaries of the States / Union Territories may hold their meeting by 31 January 2021 and plan the steps to be taken.
At the same time, instructions will also be given to district officials for its further action. The NGT asked the Central Monitoring Committee set up to prepare a plan to make more than 351 rivers spread across the country pollution-free, for the restoration of water bodies at least thrice a year by all states from time to time. Monitor the steps.
The NGT said that the first such surveillance could be done by 31 March 2021. The NGT was hearing a petition filed by a petitioner from Haryana. In the petition, in addition to the renovation of the valley lake in Gurgaon, a request has been made for the restoration of 214 other water bodies and similar water resources in Faridabad.
Protection of water bodies is very important for the protection of the environment. It maintains water availability, microclimate, aquatic life, recharge of groundwater and regular flow of rivers.
The Central Pollution Board published the “River Stretches for Restoration of Water Quality” report in September 2018 by identifying the polluted parts of 323 rivers of the country. According to CPCB, these river blocks are located in the states of Gujarat, Assam and Maharashtra. The river spread across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is less polluted than these three states. According to reports, despite India’s Clean Ganga Mission, many sections of the Ganges are still polluted.
The amount of oxygen that is required for biochemical decomposition of organic matter in water is called biological oxygen demand. The amount of water pollution is measured through biological oxygen demand. But only biological decomposition is detected through biological oxygen demand and it is a very long process. Therefore biological oxygen demand is not used in pollution measurement. Significantly, a high level of biological oxygen demand means excessive oxygen is required to decompose large amounts of organic matter present in water.
