ORDER

Judgment pronounced through Video Conference. The original application is disposed of with directions vide separate Judgment. Pending interlocutory application, if any, shall stands disposed of.

Justice K. Ramakrishnan, J.M. Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati, E.M.

O.A. No. 257/2020(SZ)

14..09.2022. Sr.

Item No. 03 Court No: 1 BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI Original Application No. 257 of 2020 (SZ)

(Through video conference)

IN THE MATTER OF Tribunal on its own motion-SUO MOTU Based on The News item in the New Indian Newspaper, Dated

27.11.2020, “ A Cooum in the making in Karur?”.

Callousness of officials.”

And

1. The Chief Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600009

2. The Principal Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600009.

3. Principal Secretary to Government Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.

4. The Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Department of Environment & Forests, Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600009

5. Additional Chief Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600009

6. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Represented by its Chairman, No. 76, Mount Salai, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032

7. The District Collector, Karur District, Sh-874, First Floor Collector Office, Karur, Tamil Nadu 639 007, 8. The Municipal Commissioner Karur Municipality Azad Road, Bunglaw Street, Karur, Tamil Nadu 639 001.

9. The Chief Engineer, P.W.D., W.R.O., Pollachi Region, Town Hall, Coimbatore 641 001. ...Respondent(s)

For Applicant(s): By Court For Respondent(s): Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R1 to R5, R7 & R9 Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R6 Mr. R. Purushothaman represented Mr. P. Srinivas for R8 Mr. P. Jeyalakshmi for CPCB Judgment Reserved on: 18th August, 2022 Judgment Pronounced on: 14th September, 2022 CORAM:

HON‟BLE MR. JUSTICE K. RAMAKRISHNAN, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON‟BLE DR. SATYAGOPAL KORLAPATI, EXPERT MEMBER Whether the Judgment is allowed to be published on the Internet – Yes.

Whether the Judgment is to be published in the All India NGT Reporter – Yes.

JUDGMENT

Delivered by Justice K. Ramakrishnan, Judicial Member

1. The above case was Suo Motu registered by this Tribunal on the basis of the newspaper report published in the New „Indian Express‟ dated 27.11.2020 under the caption “A Cooum in the making in Karur?”

2. It was alleged in the newspaper report that effluent from dyeing units and industries in Karur area were polluting Amaravathi River to such an extent that it could soon become second Cooum in the State. According to the news paper report, the Amaravathi River was one of the vital sources of water in Karur. It originates near the Manjampatti valley on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and the longest tributary of the river Cauvery. It is having a total length of 282 Km and flows through Tiruppur, Karur and joins the Cauvery near Thirumukkudalur. The river was being polluted heavily as dyeing units, textile industries and other industries were releasing their trade effluents without any treatment directly into the river. Apart from this, the Municipality was also contributing their part by letting sewage into the river without proper treatment. Though Public Works Department (PWD) who was in charge of maintaining the water bodies were also not keen in protecting the water bodies.

3. It was also alleged in the newspaper report that the industries were clandestinely making illegal canals into the river, so as to discharge their untreated effluents without proper treatment which they were not expected to do. It was also alleged in the newspaper report that it was not known as to who had given permission for such illegal activities. In spite of this being brought to the notice of the authorities, no steps were taken to remove the same as well. Fur