Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News item titled “Effluent seepage from dump yard pollutes drinking water sources" appearing in the Times of India dated 19.12.2023 dated 02/02/2024.

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The original application is registered suo motu on the basis of the news item titled “Effluent seepage from dump yard pollutes drinking water sources" appearing in the ‘Times of India’ dated 19.12.2023. The news item raises the issue relating to water pollution being caused due to seepage of effluent from the waste heaps into open wells and other drinking water sources at the landfill site in Mandara village near the waste dump yard of Mangaluru City Corporation at Pachanady, Karnataka.

As per the news item, the residents of the village are worried about pollution of water in their wells as they are facing drinking water shortage. The report also reflects that cultivation of agricultural land in that area is affected and that contaminated water from the well even causes rashes on the skin and is creating health hazards.

The Tribunal was of the view that the news report raised substantial issues relating to compliance of the environmental norms. The court directed notice to be issued to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Mangaluru City Corporation, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Mangaluru and Central Pollution Control Board.

The Principal Bench of the NGT transferred the matter to the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai and listed the matter for March 20, 2024.