National Green Tribunal Fines Gujarat and Daman & Diu Over Negligence

The National Green Tribunal has fined Gujarat and Daman & Diu Rs 50,000 each for failing to respond to concerns about arsenic and fluoride in groundwater. The case emerged after arsenic and fluoride were found beyond permissible limits in numerous districts across India.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed fines of Rs 50,000 each on the state of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Daman and Diu after the two regions failed to address concerns over high concentrations of arsenic and fluoride in their groundwater.

The tribunal initiated the case based on a news report that highlighted the alarming presence of these contaminants beyond permissible limits in various parts of the country, affecting public health and the environment. According to the report, arsenic was discovered in groundwater across 230 districts in 25 states, while fluoride was found in pockets of 469 districts in 27 states.

The NGT expressed frustration over Gujarat and Daman & Diu's repeated failure to comply with the directions to file their responses, with the bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava saying they had 'completely disregarded' the notices. The tribunal has granted an additional four weeks for the submissions from the state and the UT, with the next hearing set for July 16.

(With inputs from agencies.)