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Himachal's Rivers Choked: Half Sewage Untreated
19 Jul
Summary
- Nearly half of daily sewage in Himachal's urban areas is untreated.
- Sewage treatment plants utilize only 88.3 MLD of 159.1 MLD capacity.
- NGT issues 32-point action plan for compliance with environmental laws.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed grave concern over Himachal Pradesh's environmental management, particularly its handling of sewage and solid waste. The tribunal noted that almost 45% of the daily sewage generated in urban areas, totaling 70.8 million litres, is discharged untreated into the state's rivers and water bodies. This situation is deemed unacceptable for an ecologically sensitive region like Himachal Pradesh.
The NGT highlighted significant operational deficiencies in the state's sewage treatment infrastructure. Several sewage treatment plants (STPs) failed to meet effluent standards, while others operated without proper consent. Furthermore, many urban local bodies have not connected households to their sewer networks, rendering STPs ineffective on paper.
Beyond sewage, the NGT also pointed to shortcomings in solid waste management, with a portion of daily municipal waste not being processed scientifically. The tribunal has directed the Himachal Pradesh government to implement a comprehensive 32-point action plan, emphasizing time-bound compliance with environmental laws and strict monitoring. The state government is required to submit a detailed compliance report by January 20, 2027.
