NGT asks watchdogs to take action against polluting industrial units, Pg3.

Key Highlights:

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the CPCB and local pollution watchdogs to ensure industrial units install Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) by November 4.
• The order addresses violations of industrial units releasing untreated effluents into rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna.
• CPCB data revealed 704 defaulting GPIs in Uttar Pradesh, 812 in Haryana, 21 in Bihar, and 149 in Delhi.

Detailed Insights:

• The order was issued in response to a plea highlighting that many Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) continue to operate without installing OCEMS.
• GPIs are defined as units generating over 100 kg/day of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) or discharging over 25 kilolitres of wastewater daily.
• The NGT has directed the CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards, and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) to take immediate action against the defaulting industries.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Green Tribunal (NGT): A specialized body handling environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary problems.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): An organization that promotes cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): The amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material present in a water sample at certain temperature over a specific time period.