Tribune impact: NGT forms panel to inspect Kasauli site, submit report

Ambika Sharma

Solan, January 31

Taking suo moto note of the news item “Kasauli Distillery dumps effluent into water source, supply affected” appearing in these columns on December 15, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to inspect the site and submit a report.

Effluents polluting water

• As per the news item, Mohan Meakin Private Limited, Kasauli-based plant, had dumped effluents into a natural source as a result of which water got polluted

As per the news item, Mohan Meakin Private Limited, Kasauli-based plant, had dumped effluents into a natural source of water in the Kasauli Kund as a result of which the water has got polluted. Considering the possibility of causing disease by drinking effluent polluted water, the water supply from that source has been stopped. The news had highlighted that in the sample analysis the water was not found to be fit for human and cattle consumption.

The principal bench of the NGT noted that the news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environment norms as prescribed in the Scheduled Enactments. A joint committee comprising representative of the Central Pollution Control Board, Regional Officer, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Himachal Pradesh, the Member Secretary, HP State Pollution Control Board and District Magistrate, Solan has been constituted on January 9 to inspect the site and ascertain the factual position on the spot.

The committee will carry out the spot inspection, ascertain the factual position of the spot, the extent of water pollution in the kund/water source caused by the plant and the remedial measures as per the NGT’s direction.

The effluents from the distillery had polluted the water source, which developed a pungent odour of fermentation, besides froth. The Larah lift water supply scheme, which feeds around 2,000 people of two gram panchayats, was adversely hit as lifting of water has been put on hold for several days. The residents have no other source of drawing drinking water.

Solan DC Manmohan Sharma, while confirming the news said, “SDM Kasauli has been authorised to conduct a joint inspection at the said site along with other officials and submit a report within the stipulated period to the NGT.”