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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and others to respond to concerns over alarming levels of heavy metals and toxic substances found in Karnataka’s Arkavathy river.
The Arkavathy, a key tributary of the Cauvery river, originates near Nandi Hills and is crucial for agriculture and horticulture in the region.
The NGT took suo motu (on its own) notice of a news report about mercury, banned pesticide DDT, cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and fluoride contamination in the river.
In a December 13 order, an NGT bench chaired by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel highlighted that despite Karnataka High Court orders to protect the river, it remained heavily polluted by domestic and industrial waste.
The bench noted that samples from three sites showed high levels of DDT, mercury, and harmful hydrocarbons, which could violate the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, and the Environment (Protection) Act.
The tribunal included as respondents officials from CPCB, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, the Union Ministry of Environment, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, and the Bengaluru District Magistrate.
Notices have been issued to these parties, asking them to file responses. The case will be heard further on February 10 by the tribunal’s southern zone in Chennai.
