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National Green Tribunal

K Ravindran vs State Of Telangana & Ors on 19 December, 2022

Item No.03                                                      (Court No. 2)



                 BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
                     PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

               (Through Physical Hearing with Hybrid VC Option)

                     Original Application No. 220/2022

K Ravindran                                                          Applicant

                                  Versus

State of Telangana & Ors.                                         Respondents


Date of hearing:    19.12.2022


CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER.
       HON'BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, EXPERT MEMBER.

Applicant:          None.

Respondents         Mr. Dhananjay Baijal, Advocate for TSPCB.
                    Mr. Abhishek Bansal, Advocate, for HMWS & SB with Mr.
                    D. Sridhar Babu, Director-Projects, Mr. ML Prasanna
                    Kumar, CGM (E), STP, Circle-1 and Mr. R. Sathyalingam,
                    OSD (F & L).
                    Mr. Venu Gopal Reddy, Commissioner, Bandlaguda Jagir
                    Municipal Corporation (through VC).
                    Mr. Lokesh Kumar D.S., Commissioner, Greater
                    Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (through VC).
                    Mr. Venkat Narsu, EE, TSPCB, RO, RangaReddy, TSPCB
                    (through VC).


     Application is registered based on a letter petition received by Email.


                                    ORDER

1. Mr. K Ravindran resident of Madhu Park Ridge Apartment, Bandlaguda Jagir, Ranga Reddy District, Gandipet Mandal has sent by email the present letter petition, which has been treated and registered as Original Application, complaining that the human excreta collected from the septic tanks of residences in and around the area of Bandlaguda Jagir Municipal Corporation and other surrounding gram panchayats is being dumped into the Musi River at Tippu Khan Bridge. The huge quantity of the human excreta can be seen floating on the river. The filthy stench emanating from the river bed spreads O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors. -2- to the main Chevela Road and surrounding residential areas posing serious health hazards to the inhabitants of the area.

2. In view of settled position of law that this Tribunal can take cognizance of the cases involving questions relating to environment arising out of the implementation of enactments specified in First Schedule of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 'Suo Moto' as held by Hon'ble Supreme Court in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai V/s. Ankita Sinha and others 2021 SSC Online SC 897 and settled principles of law governing the public interest litigation this Tribunal took cognizance and vide order dated 25.04.2022 constituted a Joint Committee comprising of the State PCB, Municipal Commissioner and District Magistrate, Hyderabad and directed the same to submit factual and action taken report within two months. The relevant part of the order reads as under:-

"In view of the serious allegations made in the letter Petition, we are of the considered view that it would be appropriate to have a factual and action taken report in the matter.Accordingly, we constitute a JointCommittee comprising of State PCB, Municipal Commissioner and District Magistrate, Hyderabad. The State PCB will be the Nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The Joint Committee may meet within four weeks, undertake site visits, look into the grievances of the applicant and take requisite action by following due process of law. Factual and action taken report,which inter alia may cover the mechanism set up to evacuate septic tanks through authorized/registered agencies transporting with GPS and emptying at designated sewage pumping station or pre-identified fecal sludge treatment plant/Sewage treatment plant, may be furnished within two months by e-mail at [email protected] in the form of searchable PDF/OCR Support PDF and not in the form of Image PDF. ..."

3. In compliance thereof, the Joint Committee visited the site in question on 23.06.2022 and 14.07.2022 and submitted report vide email dated 18.07.2022. The relevant part of the report reads as under:-

"Report of the Joint Committee constituted in the O.A No. 220 of 2022 in the matter of complaint filed through email by O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors.
-3-
K.Ravindran, R/o Bandlaguda Jagir, Gandipet Mangal, Rangareddy, District Versus State of Telangana.
X X X X X X
4. The JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING AND INSPECTION:
Accordingly the joint committee consisting of the following members inspected the Bandlagudajagir, Tippu Khan Bridge on 23.06.2022 & 14.07.2022:
 Sri D. Krupanand, Joint Chief Environmental Engineer (JCEE), Tclangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB).

 K. Chandra kala, Revenue Divisional officer, Rajendranagar Division, Rangareddy District.

 Sri. G. Venugopal Reddy, Municipal Commissioner, BandlagudaJagir Municipal Corporation.

During the inspection, Mr. K Ravindran, complainant and resident of MadhuPark Ridge Apartment, BandlagudaJagir, Ranga Reddy District and other residents of the same apartment accompanied for inspection.

The Joint Committee observed the following:

1. The complainant K. Ravindran is a resident of M/s. Madhu Park Ridge Apartment, which is located at BandlagudaJagir, Ranga Reddy District (Co-ordinates N 17.22157" E78.405191") ( photos in Annexure-IV).
2. The Musi river is flowing just adjacent to M/s. Madhu Park Ridge Apartment at a distance of about 30 mtrs (photos in Annexure-IV).
3. The Tippu khan Bridge is laid across the Musiriver joining Chevella - langer house-Gandipet road. (Co-ordinates- N17.22193", E78.24176") at a length of about 100 mtrs.
4. The complainant Sri K. Ravindran and other residents of the apartment have complained to the committee that during night and early morning hours some unknown persons are stopping the septic tankers filled with human excreta collected from surrounding Grampanchayat and municipal corporation and dumping directly into Musi river through flexible pipes which is leading to huge quantity of human excreta floating in the river causing severe smell nuisance to the surrounding residents of the apartment. The complainant O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors.
-4-

has further stated that the municipal solid waste is also dumped into the river musi from the Tippu Khan Bridge.

5. The joint committee observed that there is every possibility of dumping of human excreta into River Musi through septic tankers as stated by the complainants as there is no fencing on both sides of Tippukhan bridge.

6. The Municipal Commissioner, BandlagudaJagir has stated that the Tippu Khan Bridge does not come under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Commissioner, Bandlaguda (Annexure-III) and it comes under the jurisdiction of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). He further stated that he has addressed a letter to the Zonal commissioner, GHMC to erect fencing across both the sides of Tippu Khan Bridge so that the human excreta & Municipal solid waste cannot be dumped into musi river across the Tippu Khan Bridge.

7. The joint committee has observed that the other side of the Tippukhan bridge and M/s. Madhu Park Ridge Apartment falls under the jurisdiction of Bandlagudajagir municipality. The committee noted that the GHMC limits starts from the starting point of Tippu Khan Bridge.

8. The Municipal, Commissioner, BandlagudaJagir has also stated that the Bandlaguda Municipal Corporation in support with M/s. Madhu Park Ridge Apartment are planning to install CC Cameras and the sanitation team of Bandlaguda Municipality are regularly cleaning the surroundings of Tippu Khan Bridge for maintaining cleaner surroundings (photos in Annexure-IV).

9. The Joint committee also noted that the authority for regulating the septic tankers for collection and disposal of human excreta is the Hyderabad Metro Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) in the GHMC area and in Municipal areas the concerned authority is Commissioner & Director Municipal Administration (CDMA). The HMWS&SB/CDMA authorizes /issues licenses for collection and transportation of fecal matter through septic tankers which shall have GPS tracking system. The septic tankers shall collect human excreta form septic tanks of surroundings areas and the same shall be disposed in Fecal Sludge Treatment plants (FSTPs) / STPs maintained and operated by HMWS&SB.

O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors. -5-

10. The joint committee has observed that the problem of the residents of M/s. Madhu Park Ridge Apartment can be addressed by the following:

 By erecting fencing across both sides of Tippu Khan Bridge to a minimum height of 10 to 12 feet, so that human excreta/municipal solid waste cannot be dumped in to river Musi.
 Lifting of human excreta shall be permitted through the tankers which are having GPS tracking system and which are authorized by HMWS&SB/CDMA and the collected human excreta shall be treated and disposed at Fecal Sludge Treatment plants (FSTPs)/STPs (sewage treatments plants) maintained and operated by Hyderabad Metro Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) for further treatment and disposal.  By installing CCTV cameras across the Tippu Khan Bridge to curtail the un authorized dumping of human excreta/ Municipal solid waste in to Musi River.  By maintaining cleaner environment in the surroundings of Tippu Khan Bridge by regular cleaning /lifting of solid waste by Bandlagudajagir municipality.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE:
1. The GHMC / Musi River Front Development Corporation Limited (MRFDCL) shall erect fencing across both sides of Tippu Khan Bridge to a minimum height of 10 to 12 feet, so that human excreta/municipal solid waste cannot be dumped into river Musi.
2. The HMWS&SB/CDMA shall ensure that the septic tankers shall have permission and also GPS tracking system to the tankers for collection and disposal of human excreta transported to Fecal Sludge Treatment plants (FSTPs)/STPs (sewage treatments plants) maintained and operated by HMWS&SB.
3. The GHMC/Bandlagudajagir municipality shall ensure that there is no authorized septic tanker movement in their jurisdiction.
4. The GHMC /Bandlagudajagir municipality shall install CCTV cameras across the Tippu Khan Bridge so as to prevent O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors.
-6-

unauthorized dumping of Human excreta / Municipal solid waste in to Musi river."

4. Vide order dated 05.09.2022, notices were ordered to be issued to the (i) State of Telangana through Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, (ii) Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Government of Telangana, (iii) Commissioner, Bandlaguda Jagir Municipal Corporation (BJMC) (iv) Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and (v) Chairman, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board through E-mail requiring them to file their response/reply to the averments made in the application and observations/recommendations made in the report of the Joint Committee within two months. The State PCB, Bandlaguda Jagir Municipal Corporation (BJMC), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) were also directed to take appropriate action in accordance with the Observations/recommendation made in the report of the Joint Committee and submit further action taken reports within two months. Personal appearance of the Regional Officer, Telangana State PCB and the Commissioners, BJMC and GHMC before this Tribunal physically or through VC was ordered and the Registry was also directed to send the VC link to the applicant for joining the proceedings on the date fixed.

5. In compliance of order dated 05.09.2022, report on behalf of the GHMC has been submitted vide email dated 07.11.2022; report on behalf of the TSPCB has been submitted vide email dated 28.11.2022 and Action Taken Report on behalf of the HMWSSB has been submitted vide email dated:

15.12.2022.

6. The applicant has not joined the proceedings despite sending of VC link to him by email.

O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors. -7-

7. Mr. Venu Gopal Reddy, Commissioner, BJMC, Mr. Lokesh Kumar D.S., Commissioner, GHMC, Mr. Venkat Narsu, EE, TSPCB have appeared through VC.

8. We have learned Counsel for the TSPCB and HMWSSB and have also gone through the material on record. We have also interacted with Mr. Venu Gopal Reddy, Commissioner, BJMC, Mr. Lokesh Kumar D.S., Commissioner, GHMC, Mr. Venkat Narsu, EE, TSPCB.

9. The TSPCB has filed detailed Action Taken Report and the relevant part of which is reproduced as under:-

"REPORT DATED: 22.11.2022 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER. Telanqana State PCB, REGIONAL OFFICE. RANGAREDDY IN 0.A NO. 220 OF 2022 IN THE MATTER OF COMPLAINT FILED BY SRI. K. RAVINDRAN R/O. BANDLAGUDA JAGIR, GANDIPET (M), RANGAREDDY DISTRICT.
X X X X X The Telangana State PCB has taken Hon'ble NGT orders dated:
05.09.2022 to the notice of MAUD Department, HMWSSB, GHMC & CDMA, Govt of Telangana vide letter dated: 21.09.2022 (Copy attached as ANNEXURE --I ) and also taken to the notice of Zonal commissioner, GHMC, Deputy Commissioner, GHMC, Director (Projects), HMWSSB vide letter dated: 28.10.2022 (Copy attached as ANNEXURE --II ). The status of the compliance/action taken on the issues mentioned in the application and recommendations of the Joint Committee are submitted below:

      s.No Issue raised in complaint             Complaint status
      1      The     human      excreta    is    No dumping of human
             collected from the septic           excreta was Observed
             tanks       from the                during        inspections
             surroundings       residences       conducted on several
             in and around Bandlaguda            occasions. It was also
             Jagir Municipal Corporation         informed by the applicant
             and other surroundings gram         that no dumping of
             panchayats and the same is          human             excreta
             being dumped into the Musi          happening into the Musi
             River at Tippu Khan Bridge.         River.
             The huge quantity        of   the   Not seen floating of
             human excreta can be seen           human excreta on the
             floating on the river.              river.
             The filthy stench emanating         The filthy smell was
             from the musi river bed.            came    down     to   the
                                                 minimal by arresting the
                                                 dumping     of     human
                                                 excreta and cleaning of
                                                 surrounding area.
 O. A. No. 220/2022               K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors.
                                 -8-



The compliance status with the recommendations of the Joint Committee is submitted below:
S. Recommendation of Joint Compliance status No committee 1 The GHMC/Musi River Front It was observed that Development Corporation Limited fencing was erected (MRFDCL) shall erect fencing across with a height of 8 ft both sides of Tippu Khan Bridge to a on both sides of minimum height of 10 to 12 feet, so Tippu Khan Bridge that human excreta/municipal solid by GHMC.

waste cannot be dumped into river Photographs are Musi. enclosed as ANNEXURE-III.

The GHMC in its report stated that the height of the fencing is proposed to raise to 10-12 ft which is under process and will be completed soon.

                                                     Copy      of    GHMC
                                                     report is enclosed as
                                                     ANNEXURE-IV.
      2   The HMWS & SB/CDMA shall ensure            The HMWS&SB has
          that the septic tankers shall have         empanelled 62 nos
          permission and also GPS tracking           of     septic      tank
          system to the tankers for collection and   cleaning       vehicles
          disposal of human excreta transported      through            M/s.
          to Fecal Sludge Treatment Plants           Administrative Staff
          (FSTPs)/STPs (sewage treatments            College     of    India
          plants) maintained and operated by         (ASCI), Hyderabad
          HMWS & SB.                                 for    collection     of
                                                     septage             and
                                                     conveying to the
                                                     nearest FSTP/STP
                                                     for core treatment.
                                                     treating       septage
                                                     along with sewage
                                                     at existing STPs.
                                                     The     septic     tank
                                                     cleaning       vehicles
                                                     are fitted with GPS
                                                     tracking system and
                                                     being monitored by
                                                     M/s. ASCI,
                                                     Hyderabad. Copy of
                                                     report submitted by
                                                     HMWS&SB                is
                                                     enclosed              as
                                                     ANNEXURE-V.
      3   The GHMC/Bandlaguda             Jagir      The       Bandlaguda
          municipality shall ensure that there is    Jagir     municipality
          no authorized      septic tanker           issued      a    paper
          movement in their jurisdiction.            notification
                                                     regarding
 O. A. No. 220/2022                  K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors.
                                    -9-

                                                       unauthorized usage
                                                       of septic tankers
                                                       and             issued
                                                       registrations        to
                                                              the    existing
                                                       septic tankers. Copy
                                                       of report submitted
                                                       by the Bandlaguda
                                                       Jagir municipality is
                                                       enclosed      as
                                                       ANNEXURE-VI.
      4     The GHMC /Bandlaguda Jagir                 The Bandlaguda
            municipality shall install CCTV            Jagir    municipality
            cameras across the Tippu Khan Bridge       has installed CC TV
            so as to prevent unauthorized dumping      cameras            with
            of Human excreta I Municipal solid         support       of
            waste in to Musi river."                   Madhu Park Ridge
                                                       Apartment
                                                       Association.      Copy
                                                       of report submitted
                                                       by the Bandlaguda
                                                       Jagir municipality is
                                                       enclosed            as
                                                       ANNEXURE-VI.


During inspection of the area at Madhu Park Ridge Apartment / Tippu khan bridge on 27.10.2022. it was observed that no filthy stench emanating from the musi river bed and the same was acknowledged by the applicant Sri. K. Ravindran, he also expressed his opinion positively on the action taken by the Departments."

10. As per the report filed on behalf of GHMC following measures have been to prevent probable dumping of Human Excreta/ Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Musi River at Tippu Khan Bridge:-

"i. Green chain link was erected by GHMC on either side of Tippu Khan bridge to a height of about (08) feet in the month of July'2022 itself (photographs enclosed as Annexure I). ii. The height of the fencing shall be raised to 10-12 feet on either side of the bridge as per the recommendation of the Joint Committee formed by the Hon'ble Tribunal, which is under process and will be completed soon iii. MSW from Households and Commercial establishments is being lifted through (02) no's of Swachh Auto Tippers daily. iv. Daily sweeping is done through Sweeping staff and mechanical sweeping machines in and around Tippu Khan bridge and the sweeping waste is collected in black covers and transported to MSW transfer station on the same day."

O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors. -10-

11. The septic tank cleaning vehicles have been empanelled and the septic tank operators have been provided training and PPE kits by HMWSSB. Letter dated 01.11.2022 was sent by Managing Director, HMWSSB to the Member Secretary, TSPCB in this regard and the relevant part of the letter is reproduced as under:-

"....HMWSSB has empaneled the 62 Nos of Septic Tank cleaning vehicles through M/s ASCI, Hyderabad, for collection of septage and conveying to nearest FSTP.STP for co-treatment, treating septage along with sewage at existing STPs. These vehicles are also fitted with GPS tracking system and are being monitored by M/s ASCI HMWSSB reviews the progress/working in this regard every month.
It is further to inform that, the septic tank operators are provided with training in safety operations and are also provided with PPE kits and also provided with medical insurance facility through M/s ASCI."

12. CCTV cameras have been installed and efforts have been made to bring septic tankers under supervision to avoid any unauthorized dumping or cleaning of septic tankers into rivers and water bodies as mentioned in letter dated 04.11.2022 sent by Commissioner, BJMC to Member Secretary, TSPCB and the relevant part of the letter is reproduced as under:-

" As per the orders of Hon'ble National Green Tribunal on our part we have installed CCTV cameras with the support of Madhu Park Apartment and further the surroundings areas of Tippu Khan Bridge kept clean.
In addition, this office issued a paper notification regarding unauthorized usage of Septic Tanks and in this connection we have given registrations to existing septic tanks and also installing GPS.
This office has made all efforts to bring septic tankers under supervision to avoid any unauthorized dumping or cleaning of septic tankers into rivers and water storms."

13. The status of the compliance/action taken on the issues mentioned in the application and recommendations of the Joint Committee was submitted with abovementioned letter and the relevant part thereof is also reproduced below:-

O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors.
-11-
Sl Issue raised in complaint Compliance status No. 1 The human excreta is collected rom 100 % contained made the septic tanks from the 100 feet impermeable surroundings residences in and fence on both sides.

around Bandlaguda Jagir Municipal Corporation and other surroundings gram panchayats and the same is being dumped into the Musi River at Tippu Khan Bridge.

2 The huge quantity of the human Major cleanliness drive excreta can be seen floating on the conducted river 3 The filthy stench emanating from No smell the musi river bed The compliance status with the recommendations of the Joint Committee is submitted below:-

Sr. Recommendation of the Joint Compliance status No Committee 1 The GHMC/Musi River Front Completed Development Corporation Limited (MRFDCL) shall erect fencing across both sides of Tippu Khan Bridge to a minimum height of 10 to 12 feet, so that human excreta/municipal solid waste cannot be dumped into river Musi.
      2     The HMWS&SB/CDMA shall ensure           Compiled, CDMA has
            that the septic tankers shall have      sanctioned FSTP plant in
            permission and also GPS tracking        Kothwalguda for
            system to the tankers for collection    processing of sewerage
            and disposal of human excreta           waste.
            transported     to   Fecal    Sludge
            Treatment Plants (FSTPs)/STPs
            (sewage       treatments      Plants)
            maintained     and    operated     by
            HMWS&SB
      3     The    GHMC/Bandlaguda          Jagir   Measures taken up
            Municipality shall ensure that there    licenses issued for
            is no authorized septic tanker          existing tankers.
            movement in their jurisdiction
      4     The    GHMC/Bandlaguda          Jagir   Installed CCTV Camera's
            Municipality shall install CCTV
            cameras across the Tippu Khan
            Bridge     so     as   to    prevent
            unauthorized dumping of Human
            excreta/Municiapal solid waste into
            Musi River.

                                                                               "
 O. A. No. 220/2022                  K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors.
                                   -12-

14. Action Taken Report has been filed by the Director (Projects-I) HMWSSB, Khairatab, Hyderabad vide email dated 12.12.2022 and the relevant part of the report is reproduced below:-
"Action Taken Report Submitted by HMWSSB X X X X
5. It is submitted that in compliance of the directions of the Hon'ble NGT, HMWSSB submits the following facts and Action already taken about collection of septage from the septic tanks located beyond GHMC and within ORR, transporting through nearest co-treatment facility at existing Sewerage Treatment Plants(STPs) / Standalone Fecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) and treatment in scientific manner.
(i) The GHMC, has been certified ODF ++ Open Defecation Free) in Feb'2021 and also certified as Water Plus by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for effective usage of treated waste water.
(ii) HMWSSB has established 7 Nos of co-treatment facilities with a total capacity of 70 KLD at existing Sewage Treatment Plants to treat the septage (feacal matter) along with the domestic sewage. In addition to this a standalone 40KLD capacity FSTP is also established in July'2021 to treat the septage.
(iii) HMWSSB has empanelled 63 Nos. of Septic Tank cleaning vehicles and Septic Tank operators are provided with training in safety operations and supplied PPE kits and also provided with medical insurance facility through M/s ASCI.
(iv) HMWSSB has established Metro customer care center (MCC) Ph.No.155313/ 14420 through which the customer can book septic tank cleaning vehicle and Dail - A - Septic tanker scheme was in operation August'2020.
(v) The Septic Tank Cleaning vehicles are fitted with GPS instruments for monitoring the real time location of the vehicle and is maintained by M/s. Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad to whom HMWSSB has entrusted.
(vi) The above Septic Tank cleaning Vehicles collect the septage from the Septic Tanks of individual houses and Transport to co-

treatment facilities at existing STPs/ FSTPs for Treatment of septage in scientific and non polluting manner. The treated sludge produced at the STPs/FSTPs is being sold to agencies who inturn produce compost and sell as city compost in open market for agricultural purposes."

15. The correctness of the reports submitted before this Tribunal has not be disputed by the applicant who is stated to be satisfied with the action taken by the concerned Authorities.

O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors. -13-

16. We find from the reports submitted before this Tribunal that appropriate remedial measures have already been taken by the concerned Authorities and in view of the detailed observations regarding remedial action taken, we are of the considered view that no further action is required to be taken by this Tribunal on the present application and the same is disposed of accordingly.

17. However, in case of any grievance the applicant shall be at liberty to move this Tribunal for issuance of any further directions in the matter.

18. We appreciate the prompt and resolute action taken by The State PCB, Bandlaguda Jagir Municipal Corporation (BJMC), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB). In fact, such prompt and resolute action, which is the life line of democratic institutions and expected from the instrumentalities of Welfare State, is also the need of hour for protection and improvement of environment.

19. Before parting with this case, we also consider it our duty to emphasize that protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of the forests and wild life of the Country is not only the Constitutional obligation of the State under Article 48A of the Constitution of India but all Citizens of this Country are also subjected by Clause (g) of Article 51A of the Constitution of India to the fundamental duties of protecting and improving the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wild life and to have compassion for living creatures. Consistent with these Constitutional Mandates, we take this opportunity to impress upon the State of Telangana and its instrumentalities including the respondents impleaded in this case to take appropriate steps for creating public awareness and promoting ever increasing participation of all its citizens for protection and improvement of environment and for the long term sustainability of the programs executed for O. A. No. 220/2022 K Ravindran Vs.State of Telangana & Ors. -14- the purpose, without which even such like prompt and resolute action as taken in the present case, may become, in the long run, futile and meaningless.

20. A copy of this order be forwarded by email to the applicant and the Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, the Member Secretary, TSPCB, Commissioners, BJMC and GHMC respectively and the Managing Director, HMWSSB for information/compliance.

Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM Dr. Afroz Ahmad, EM December 19, 2022 AG