NGT asks authorities to fix falling native fish population in Yamuna

NGT directs authorities to restore native fish populations in the Yamuna River and combat pollution and invasive species.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued directions to the State Governments of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, and other authorities to take a slew of measures to fix falling native fish populations in the Yamuna River and control exotic fish species.

The green court also directed authorities to take strict penal action against people responsible for the illegal introduction of exotic species in the river.

The order was passed following a suo-motu registration based on a news report highlighting the decline of native fish and the increase of exotic species in the river. The 2024 news report had cited a study by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Centre (CIFRI), Prayagraj, which said that fish in the Yamuna were affected by climate change and the number of Indian species of fishes have decreased, while foreign species have gone up.

The Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A. Senthil Vel, also directed authorities to control pollution in the river, which is the main cause for the reduction of fish population.

“The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), NMCG (National Mission for Clean Ganga) and DJB (Delhi Jal Board) are directed to ensure strict enforcement of the effluent standard and compliance of norms by the ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) discharging treated/untreated sewage and throwing solid waste in river Yamuna and the industries which are discharging treated/untreated effluents in river Yamuna,” read the NGT order dated January 29.

The order also directed to accelerate installation and operationalisation of the sewage treatment plants in the areas abutting Yamuna River to ensure that the treated water meets the standard fit for aquatic life.