Jharkhand Court Tackles Transboundary Pollution

The Jharkhand High Court has mandated surprise inspections and continuous monitoring of pollution data for two factories in Ramgarh. This directive stems from a Public Interest Litigation highlighting significant environmental pollution in the industrial town. The court acknowledged that environmental harm often extends beyond its origin, affecting communities distant from the source.

Observing that pollution does not respect borders, the bench highlighted the need for strict enforcement. While air quality reports showed compliance, a marginal exceedance in water quality necessitated closer verification. Consequently, the court ordered twice-yearly inspections, with at least one unannounced, and continuous emission tracking.

Further directives include sending show-cause notices for pollution exceeding limits for over 48 hours and submitting fresh water source sampling reports. The pollution control board must also compile a file on each factory's environmental clearances to ascertain their currency, ensuring ongoing accountability for environmental regulations.