NGT passes order to treat Hindon river on par with Ganga, obey same guidelines

In order to rejuvenate the over-polluted Hindon river, the National Green Tribunal has passed a judgment that from now the river and its tributaries will be treated same as river Ganga and same guidelines, contents and programmes that have been issued for the preservation of the sacred river, Ganga will be followed for the Hindon river.

The NGT has also issued directions to the authorities to launch proper sensitization programme for villagers and civic bodies of the region

The decision was taken in the wake of increasing pollution levels in the River which has created a life threat and has become a major cause of diseases inflicting the villagers living in nearby areas.

As per reports, the water of Hindon river is considered as unfit not only for drinking but even for bathing purpose.

"The pollution in the Hindon river is a major cause of diseases inflicting the villagers living close to these water bodies. Hundreds of villagers across the region are suffering from various diseases caused due to the toxic river water. We want time-bound survey of the current situation, and if the guidelines are not followed stringently, we will file a petition against the authority," said Akash Vashishtha, Conservation Coordinator and Policy Analyst, Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity.

The river Hindon is a tributary of the Yamuna and originates in the district of Saharanpur in the Shivalik in lower Himalayan range.

After passing through six districts of western UP, Hindon river merges with the Yamuna in Noida. There are 316 industrial units on the banks of the Hindon. The pollution is as such that more than 70 people in in Baghpat's Gangnauli village, which is located on the banks of Krishni river, have died in the past four years due to various diseases.