New Delhi – The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken significant action in response to alarming reports of pollution in Sakhi Lake, located in Hyderabad, primarily caused by untreated pharmaceutical waste. The green panel, acting on its own initiative, has called upon the Ministry of Environment and several other authorities to address the concerning environmental violations. During a hearing held on October 3, the NGT bench, presided over by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, acknowledged the gravity of the situation highlighted in a recent newspaper report.
The report raised “substantial issues” regarding compliance with environmental norms, prompting the tribunal to seek immediate answers from responsible parties. The NGT has formally joined several key stakeholders in the proceedings, including the Chennai regional office of the Ministry of Environment, the district magistrate of Hyderabad, and officials from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board.
In its directive, the tribunal has mandated that these respondents provide their responses in the form of affidavits at least one week prior to the next hearing scheduled for November 25. The NGT’s decision underscores the urgency of addressing pollution in Sakhi Lake, which has raised significant public health and environmental concerns.
As authorities brace for the upcoming hearing, the NGT's actions signal a crucial step toward ensuring accountability and fostering compliance with environmental protection laws in the region. The outcome of this case could have widespread implications for environmental governance and pollution management practices in Hyderabad and beyond.