JUDGMENT

Ramesh Ranganathan, C.J. (Oral) - All these Writ Petitions have been filed in larger public interest seeking a direction to the State Government and the State Pollution Control Board to cause an inquiry through a body of experts, and to take action against those industries which are causing environmental degradation, and are acting in violation of the guidelines prescribed in the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

2. It would suffice for the disposal of these four writ petitions to take note of the contents of, and the relief sought for in, WPPIL No.77 of 2017; and the directions issued by this Court, therein, from time to time. WPPIL No.77 of 2017 is filed by Shri Himanshu Chandola, an agriculturalist from Udham Singh Nagar District, who complains of the failure of the respondents to take action against the recalcitrant industries which have caused severe environmental damage to the surrounding areas. He seeks a writ of mandamus commanding respondent nos.1 to 3, i.e. the State of Uttarakhand, the District Magistrate, Udham Singh Nagar and the Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board to r