Status report in the matter of O.A. No. 46/2018, titled as Nuggehalli Jayasimha Vs Govt. Of NCT of Delhi in pursuance of National Green Tribunal order of January 24, 2020.

The matter relates to environmental guidelines for dairy farms and gaushalas. The NGT had directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to undertake a study in the matter and lay down appropriate guidelines for management and monitoring of environmental norms by the dairies throughout India and furnish a report in the matter. The local bodies in all the states/UTs are required to file information. CPCB asked all the SPCBs/PCCs to provide updated information about dairies and gaushalas operating under their jurisdiction.

CPCB, in this regard, received communications from 34 states/UTs while no response was received from Manipur and Delhi. Out of 34 states/UTs, 28 states/UTs provided the inventory details while the remaining 6 states/UTs informed that they are still in the process of getting desired information from the local bodies.

The report mentions that the total number of dairies operating in 26 states/UTs are 2,73,437 and total number of animals in these dairies are 21, 34,018. Further, there are 2793 dairy colonies and clusters in 26 states/UTs. The total number of gaushalas operating in 28 states/UTs are 5,964 and total number of animals in these gaushalas are 4,36,727.

In general, the methods used in states/UTs for disposal/utilization cattle dung include using dung as manure in fields, vermi-composting, biogas generation, fish feed, fuel for cremation. SPCBs/PCC’s have not provided the information about disposal/utilization of wastewater, however, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Mizoram states that wastewater was being used for fodder cultivation.

The report concludes that all the local authorities/corporations should carry out inventory of all the dairy farms and gaushalas located in their jurisdiction in a prescribed format. This information should be updated and shared with the concerned SPCB/PCC on an annual basis. The dairy farms having animal population of 10 and above and gaushalas should obtain consent to establish and consent to operate under Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981 from the concerned SPCBs/PCCs. The local bodies/ SPCBs/PCCs/Gram Panchayat in the states/UTs should ensure that dairies and gaushalas operating should follow the “Guidelines for Environmental Management of Dairy Farms and Gaushalas.

Note: The report of May 12, 2020 was made online on May 18, 2020.