India's court says dumping e-waste near Ramganga River will be fined

India's environmental court, National Green Tribunal (NGT), said Wednesday anyone dumping e-waste on the banks of Ramganga River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh would be fined 1 lakh rupees (1,558 U.S. dollars).

"The court in its ruling said that it has been brought to their notice that huge quantity of hazardous e-waste generated from various industries is being disposed on the bank of river Ramganga in Moradabad," an official quoted the bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar as saying.

The panel said pollution along the river bank in Moradabad district, 380 km northwest of Lucknow city, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has been duly verified in the joint inspection conducted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The court underlined that hazardous waste is highly polluted and contains heavy metal which are injurious to human health and environment.

"The court said it is the responsibility of the state government and local police to take action and dispose the hazardous waste as per guidelines," the official said.

A local government official in the area has been authorized to recover the fine from defaulters.

Ramganga river originates from Doodhatoli ranges in Uttarakhand state. It is a tributary of the river Ganga.

The green panel also ordered constitution of a committee to immediately remove the waste lying on the river banks. Endit