NGT urged to save ancient Devha river from pollution

PILIBHIT: A Pilibhit-based lawyer and social activist has approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT), seeking action and intervention to protect the ancient Devha river from pollution caused by nine drains of the Pilibhit city. Petitioner Shivam Kashyap claimed that untreated water from these drains flows into the river.Kashyap also raised concerns over the plight of solid waste management in Pilibhit district, highlighting the absence of solid waste recycling plants that often lead to the dumping of household litter on roadsides, as well as on the banks of the river.Known as Devbhooti Ganga, the Devha river is said to be older than the Ganga. It originates from the central Kumaun region in Uttarakhand and has its confluence with the Ganga near Farrukhabad. It also meets its tributary, Khakra river, at Bramhachari Ghat on the outskirts of Pilibhit. Notably, two of the nine major city drains – choked with polythene, plastic, filth and litter – have their outlets in Khakra that merges with Devha.The pollution in one of these two drains is also due to the illicit practice of discharging remnants of slaughtered animals and birds, as there are no licensed slaughterhouses in the district. Kashyap said pollution in the river is not only hazardous to humans but also poses a threat to the survival of many aquatic life, a majority of which are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.Pilibhit Municipal Council chairwoman Astha Agarwal said, "We had sent a proposal for the bioremediation process to the govt a year ago to naturally break down and remove pollutants from sewage and wastewater flowing in drains, but it has still not been approved." She added that for solid waste management, bids would soon be invited for setting up the proposed plant with a cost of Rs 7 crore."The municipal council collects 60 to 70 tonnes of household waste daily. A dump yard measuring six hectares has been assigned. Once the solid waste recycling plant starts functioning, the sanitation across the city will improve," she said.