Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Manakunnam Village, Padashekara Samrakshana Samithy Vs Thiripunithura Municipality, Kerala & Others dated 26/05/2020.

The matter related to pollution of river Konothupuzha, Ernakulam district of Kerala.

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The NGT in its order of January 24, 2020 had directed for the appointment of a joint committee comprising of (1) District Collector, Ernakulam (2) State Pollution Control Board (3) Public Works Department (Irrigation, Bridge and Roads) (4) Secretary, District Panchayat, Ernakulam (5) Commissioners of the respective Municipalities and Executive Officers of the respective Grama Panchayat, Secretary of the Municipalities and Grama Panchayats through which the river passes and is being polluted to look into the matter and come with a proper action plan with specific time line to abate the pollution in the Konothupuzha river.

The court had also said that if needed, the plan could be extended to other river stretch also and prepare a “holistic action plan”. The plan had to be submitted within a period of three months.

On May 13, 2020 the Kerala State Pollution Control Board requested two months more time for the report, which the NGT acceded to and directed for the report to be submitted by August 10, 2020.