Telangana HC declines PIL on Godavari pollution, cites NGT jurisdiction

The Telangana High Court refused to hear a PIL on Godavari river pollution, ruling that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal. The Court directed the petitioner, a law student, to approach the NGT for appropriate relief

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed over increasing pollution in the Godavari river, observing that the matter falls squarely within the jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The Bench was dealing with a PIL filed by Aakula Sampath Kumar, a law student, who relied on a report of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s National River Conservation Directorate highlighting that both industrial and urban effluents were being discharged into the river, seriously affecting water quality and aquatic life. After hearing the petitioner, who appeared in person, the Court held that issues concerning environmental degradation across multiple States are better addressed by the NGT, which has pan-India jurisdiction and expertise in such matters.

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The Bench observed that the tribunal is specifically empowered under the NGT Act, 2010 to deal with substantial questions relating to the environment and to enforce laws such as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Rejecting the plea that the High Court could still exercise its constitutional jurisdiction in the matter, the Bench stated that the submission was “not correct” and reiterated that the NGT is the appropriate and competent forum to consider the petitioner’s grievances.

Accordingly, the Court disposed of the PIL, granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the National Green Tribunal for appropriate relief.