Issues notices to key authorities
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 18
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of the accumulation of plastic waste at Wokha’s Doyang Dam, widely reported in local media in June, and issued notices to key authorities over the issue. The NGT Principal Bench, New Delhi, took up the issue on July 8, stating that the reports indicated a "violation of the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974."
It raises a substantial issue relating to compliance with environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactments, according to the order issued by the Bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava; Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi; and Expert Member Dr A. Senthil Vel.
As per the order recently uploaded on the NGT’s website, the Tribunal particularly took cognisance based on a news item by the online portal Nagaland Tribune titled, "Plastic waste deposits in Doyang Dam to adversely impact humans and wildlife," published on June 2, 2024. Among other points, the order noted that the article highlighted that during the monsoon season, plastic waste and tree logs from other districts are carried downstream, ultimately collecting at Doyang Dam.
This not only affects and damages boats and fishing nets but also pollutes marine life, impacting the livelihoods of fishermen, while the collected waste is washed ashore after the monsoon, contaminating the whole area, it said. The article further noted that the problem affects the ecological cycle and causes economic issues as the fishing nets of the fishermen are destroyed, affecting their livelihood. It further alleged that if this trend continues, it will become a huge challenge for human and marine life, the NGT added.
Accordingly, the NGT impleaded the Central Pollution Control Board, Nagaland Pollution Control Board, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Regional Office Integrated Regional Office, Guwahati, and Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, as respondents in the matter. As the case relates to Eastern India, the Bench also transferred the case to the Eastern Zonal Bench for appropriate further action and listed it for hearing on September 9. In the meantime, the respondents were directed to file their responses before the Eastern Zonal Bench of the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing.
It must be noted here that after the viral video and news reports of waste accumulation, a ‘Clean Doyang Mission’ commenced at the reservoir on June 8 with participation from various departments, organisations, and other stakeholders. It concluded on June 12 and was termed a ‘successful mission’ by officials.
