70 Punjab industries threaten aquatic biodiversity of three rivers

PATIALA: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report has found that 70 heavy industries in Punjab are threatening the aquatic biodiversity of Satluj, Beas and Ghaggar rivers.

The report, which has been put up before the National Green Tribunal, states that there are 1,735 industrial units in Punjab which require effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Out of these, 1,665 industrial plants have some kind of treatment plant. As per records, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had ordered the closure of 40 industries found releasing effluents in the river systems, while 10 industries have been served with showcause notices and action is yet to be taken against 20 units.

Even from among the 1,665 units with ETPs, only 1579 units comply with effluent standards, while 86 plants have been found to be lacking, suggesting that effluents from these were also draining into the river systems. Of these 86 units, four have been asked to shut down, while court cases have been filed against five units. The PPCB has served notices on 49, while the rest continue to operate, showing no concern for the state’s rivers.

According to official records, Punjab has only four common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) and of these only three are functional while the fourth, in a legal wrangle, cannot be run. The CPCB has also found the state to be lacking while treating the sewerage waste being generated in the urban and suburban areas. The report found that of the 641 sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the state, only 570 meet the standards. Seventy-one STPs are non-complying and show-cause notice has been served against 17. In a positive development, 120 additional STPs will be operational in the state by March 2020 and four under-construction CETPs would be running next month.

After the NGT took up the matter on August 3, 2018, it had ordered continuous monitoring of effluents being flushed into rivers and asked the CPCB to prepare an action plan after looking into the status of CETPs/ETPs/ STPs and evolve a mechanism to ensure compliance standards.

It had also ordered that a representative of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change should be associated with the monitoring committee and directed the CPCB to hold monthly review meetings. It had asked the CPCB to take penal action against those accountable for setting up and maintaining STPs, CETPs and ETPs and to recover compensation for damage to the environment and furnish a compliance report before the NGT every four months.

While, the monitoring committee has held its sixth meeting and recently filed a compliance report with the NGT, it is yet to decide on assessing penalty and environmental compensation and action plan to utilize the fund.