New Delhi, Aug 17 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from the state of Karnataka and others over a massive fish kill reportedly due to pollution in a waterbody in Belagavi district.
The green body was hearing a plea moved by a resident claiming "mass fish mortality" observed on January 29 in a lake in Athani town of the district.
"Hundreds of dead fish (including big ones) were floating due to highly-polluted, oxygen-depleted water contaminated by sewage, municipal waste and possible effluents.
"This is caused by negligence of the Athani municipal authorities in allowing untreated sewage discharge, garbage dumping and poor maintenance, violating environmental laws," the plea has claimed.
In an order dated August 10, made available on Monday, a bench of judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel said the matter has raised "substantial questions relating to the environment".
"In view of the averments in the application, we consider it appropriate to have a response of the state of Karnataka, the Belagavi district magistrate, the Athani Town Municipal Council, the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority and the State Pollution Control Board," the bench said.
It directed that the case be transferred to the NGT's Southern Zone Bench in Chennai for further proceedings.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 31.
