Journalism of Courage
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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi government to submit a status report on the condition of the Yamuna after the immersion of Ganesh and Durga idols. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the government to file a detailed affidavit, along with steps being taken to clean the river.
It also asked the government and the Delhi Jal Board to submit a status report on compliance of its directions to execute Phase I of the Yamuna cleaning project.
“The counsel appearing for the NCT of Delhi submits that steps are being taken to clean the river, and the Yamuna floodplains, after the festive season and immersion of idols. Let him also file a status report,” the bench said.
Thousands of idols — many of which are coated with toxic chemicals — are immersed in the river after Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja.
The NGT was hearing a plea filed by environment activist Akash Vashishta, seeking directions for cleaning the river banks. The plea sought directions for a complete ban on dumping of waste and an action plan to deal with idol immersion in the NCR.
The tribunal had, in 2015, passed a slew of directions to prevent pollution of the Yamuna, including a ban on immersion of idols except those made from biodegradable material.
