PIL on Environmental Issues: MC Mehta vs. Union of India
M. C. Mehta v. Union of India(Kanpur tanneries case)
Citation : 1988 AIR 1115
Place of origin
Jajmau(Kanpur)
Date of decision
22nd September 1987
BENCH
E.S. Venkataramiah and K.N. Singh, JJ.
Nature
Public interest litigation relating to environmental issue
Subject
Constitution of India, 1950: Articles 48A and 51A-State to protect and improve environment-Fundamental duty of every citizen to improve natural environment. Environmental Law Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: 'Environment'-Discharge of effluents from tannery into the River Ganga-Necessity to establish primary treatment plants-Closure of tanneries directed on failure to comply- Life, health and ecology have great importance. Practice and Procedure: Court can issue appropriate directions if it finds public nuisance being committed and statutory authorities not taking adequate steps to rectify the grievance.
Statement of facts
1. The petitioner, an active social worker, filed a petition before this Court complaining that neither the Government nor the people were giving adequate attention to stop the pollution of the river Ganga and it was, therefore, necessary to take steps for the purpose of protecting the cleanliness of the stream in the river Ganga which was in fact the life sustainer of a large part of the northern India.
2. It was the complaint of the petitioner that neither the Government nor the people were giving adequate attention to stop the pollution of River Ganga. It was therefore sought that steps should be taken for the purpose of protecting the cleanliness of the stream in River Ganga. It was contended that the trade effluent ---“Trade effluent” includes any liquid, gaseous or solid substance, which is discharged from any premises used for carrying on any trade or industry, other than domestic sewage.--- discharged from tanneries was ten times noxious when compared with the domestic sewage water which
Citation : 1988 AIR 1115
Place of origin
Jajmau(Kanpur)
Date of decision
22nd September 1987
BENCH
E.S. Venkataramiah and K.N. Singh, JJ.
Nature
Public interest litigation relating to environmental issue
Subject
Constitution of India, 1950: Articles 48A and 51A-State to protect and improve environment-Fundamental duty of every citizen to improve natural environment. Environmental Law Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: 'Environment'-Discharge of effluents from tannery into the River Ganga-Necessity to establish primary treatment plants-Closure of tanneries directed on failure to comply- Life, health and ecology have great importance. Practice and Procedure: Court can issue appropriate directions if it finds public nuisance being committed and statutory authorities not taking adequate steps to rectify the grievance.
Statement of facts
1. The petitioner, an active social worker, filed a petition before this Court complaining that neither the Government nor the people were giving adequate attention to stop the pollution of the river Ganga and it was, therefore, necessary to take steps for the purpose of protecting the cleanliness of the stream in the river Ganga which was in fact the life sustainer of a large part of the northern India.
2. It was the complaint of the petitioner that neither the Government nor the people were giving adequate attention to stop the pollution of River Ganga. It was therefore sought that steps should be taken for the purpose of protecting the cleanliness of the stream in River Ganga. It was contended that the trade effluent ---“Trade effluent” includes any liquid, gaseous or solid substance, which is discharged from any premises used for carrying on any trade or industry, other than domestic sewage.--- discharged from tanneries was ten times noxious when compared with the domestic sewage water which