Reply on behalf of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in compliance to the National Green Tribunal order in O.A No. 515 of 2022.

The matter related to pollution of holy river Markanda at Naraingarh, tehsil Narayangarh, district-Ambala. The applicant has alleged that ever The applicant has alleged that ever since industrial activities have started in industrial area at Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh, polluted industrial waste water of Kala Amb factories located at Trilokpur road, is discharged through Kaimi drain in river Markanda thereby polluting the holy river water and hurting the religious sentiments of the people as well as causing serious diseases and mortality amongst villagers and the cattle. Additionally, it was also alleged that one paper mill is also causing environmental pollution/degradation by discharging its waste water through illegal drain in river Markanda.

The joint committee conducted monitoring and inspection of river Markanda, Jattanwala and  M/s Ruchira Paper Limited on September 21, 2022 and October 21, 2022. Samples were collected by both SPCBs of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The results indicates that water quality of river Markanda at Himachal Pradesh and entry point of Haryana are meeting the primary water quality criteria for bathing standards and M/s Ruchira Paper Limited was also found complying to the discharge standards.

The CPCB identifies polluted river stretches (PRS) based on the water quality data of rivers. For identification of PRS, locations/stretches of rivers not meeting the primary water quality criterion of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) parameter (indicator of organic pollution) for outdoor bathing is considered.

For rejuvenation of identified PRS, comprehensive action plans have been prepared by River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) constituted by the respective state government/ UT Administration, under the overall supervision and coordination of Principal Secretary, Environment of the concerned state /Union Territory for bringing all the polluted river stretches, including PRS on river Markanda in Himachal Pradesh, identified by CPCB fit for bathing purposes in the year 2018.

Note: The report of November 7, 2024 was uploaded to the NGT site, December 9, 2024