National Green Tribunal (NGT) declared 100 metres from the edge of River Ganga as a ‘No-Development Zone’ in the stretch between Haridwar in Uttarakhand and Unnao in Uttar Pradesh.
The NGT in its 543-page judgment said, there shall be no dumping of waste of any kind within 500 metres from the edge of River Ganga. Taking steps towards cleaning the river, the tribunal said that Uttar Pradesh should be duty-bound to shift tanneries from Jajmau to Unnao or any other place it considers appropriate within six weeks.
The NGT also declared an environment compensation of 50,000 rupee on anyone who dumps waste in River Ganga. UP and Uttarakhand were also directed to formulate guidelines for religious activities on the ghats of Ganga or its tributaries.
The NGT has also formed a supervisory committee to oversee implementation of its directions passed and submit a report to it.