Mangaluru: The state govt appears reluctant to act against those allegedly dumping hazardous waste into rivers such as the Nethravati, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Swarna and Seetha in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur has complained.He said the response of the forests, ecology and environment minister indicated that the state govt has not initiated any direct punitive action against the offenders. Instead, the response merely listed measures taken by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and regulatory authorities.The MLC further alleged that the govt had failed to take effective measures to curb river pollution and had not accorded sufficient priority to the issue.“I sought legal action against those dumping hazardous waste into several rivers during the legislative session. The minister of forest, ecology and environment, Ramalinga Reddy, in his reply, does not mention anything about action taken by the govt against those dumping waste into the river. It only mentions action taken by the NGT,” the MLC alleged.According to the minister, in view of non-compliance by Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) withthe Pollution Control Board’s observations, a criminal case was registered against the former in Jan.Regarding the discharge of untreated sewage and wastewater generated from surrounding hotels, lodges, and commercial complexes into the Agni Teertha and Souparnika rivers in Kollur, a complaint was registered before NGT. Site inspections were conducted and notices were issued.A committee constituted under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner submitted an Action Plan to NGT, he added.The minister also said water quality testing and monitoring of the Souparnika, Nethravati, Kumaradhara, and Phalguni rivers are conducted monthl.Meanwhile, in connection with industrial pollution in Gurupura river, demand notices for environmental compensation were served to six polluting industries in the Baikampady Industrial Area.Seeking immediate govt intervention, the MLC insisted that the authorities concerned and the state govt had not taken any direct punitive action against violators dumping waste into the rivers.
