Introduction

Water is a basic need for the survival of human beings and is part of right to life and human
rights as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The resolution of UNO in 1977 to
which India is a signatory, during the United Nations Water Conference resolved
unanimously, inter-alia, as under:
All people, whatever their stage of development and their social and economic conditions, have
the right to have access to drinking water in quantum and of a quality and equal to their basic
needs.1
The United Nation also emphasized the importance of purity of water when it proclaimed on
10th November, 1980 International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade. India
is also a signatory to this Declaration. Thus, the right to access to drinking water is fundamental
to life and there is a duty on the State under Article 21 to provide clean drinking water to its
citizen.2
In State of Orissa v. Government of India3 J. Katju , opined that the right to get water is a
part of life guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution. It is a gift of nature. Human hand
cannot be permitted to convert this bounty into a curse, oppression. Right to life is guaranteed
in any civilized society, inter alia, right to water and decent environment. These are basic
human rights known to any civilized society.
Narmada Bachao Andolan v. Union of India, (2000) 10 SCC 664 at 767., also Hinch Lal Tiwari v. Kamla Devi,
(2002) 6 SCC 496; Atma Linga Reddy v. Union of India, (2008) 7 SCC 788 at 799-800.
A.P. Pollution Control Board (II) v. M.V. Nayudu, (2001) 2 SCC 62 at 69.
(2009) 5 SCC 492 at 505.
Delhi Water Supply & Sewage Disposal Undertaking v. State of Haryana, (1996) 2 SCC 572 at 573; Chameli
Singh v. State of U.P, (1996) 2 SCC 549; M.K. Balakrishnan (2) v. Union of India, (2009) 5 SCC 511 at 513-514.

Water pollution is one of the major problems facing humanity. Industrialization, urbanization,
increase in human population are responsible for water pollution. Some of the important
sources are as follows:
Industrial Wastes: Industrial waste or trade effluent includes any liquid or solid substance,
which is discharged from any premises used for carrying on any industry, operation or process
or treatment and disposal system other than the domestic sewage. It is a common practice that a
large number of industries, which are located on the banks of the rivers, discharge their
untreated effluent into the river and thus pollute the river water.
Domestic Wastes: Nearly 75% of the water pollution is due to the sewage and domestic wastes.
Sewage generally includes biodegradable pollutants like human faecal matter, animal waste and
many organic compounds such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, urea etc.
Insecticides and Pesticides: The farmers use large amount of insecticides and pesticides. Due
to rain or irrigation these insecticides and pesticides either pollute the neighbouring fresh water
lakes, rivers or ponds or they also percolate down and affect the underground water.
Thermal Pollution: Heat from power plants, industries, automobiles, and hot summers which raises the
temperature of water to a harmful level is called thermal pollution.

Radioactive Wastes: Wastes generated from atomic reactors contain different kind of radioactive
isotopes, are very harmful for the plants and animals living in water.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974

After the Stockholm conference on Human Environment on June, 1972, it was considered appropriate to
have uniform law all over country for broad Environment problems endangering the health and safety of
our people as well as of our flora and fauna. The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 is
the first enactment by the Parliament in this direction. This is also the first specific and comprehensive
legislation institutionalizing simultaneously the regulatory agencies for controlling water pollution. The
Pollution Control Board at the Centre and in the State came into being in terms of this Act.

According to the Article 51 A (g) it is the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to protect
and improve the natural environment included Forest, Lakes, Rivers and Wildlife and to have
compassion for living creatures.

Water Act is enacted with the aim of prevention and control of Water Pollution in India. Pollution
means contamination of water or such alteration of the Physical, Chemical or Biological properties
of water or such discharge of any sewage or trade effluent or of any other liquid, gas and Solid
substance into water (whether directly or indirectly) as may be the case or is likely to create
nuisance or render such water harmful or injurious to public health or safety or to domestic,
commercial, industrial, agricultural or other legitimate uses, or to the life and health of animals or
plant or of aquatic organizations.
Trade effluent includes any liquid or solid substance which is discharged from any premises used
for carrying on any industry operation or process or treatment and disposal system, other domestic
sewage. This Act aims at establishment of Central and State Pollution Control Board at the central
level and also at state level for each state and giving powers to the members so as to enable them to
carry out the purposes of the Act. Board is having 17 members to carry out the said purposes and
the functions of the Board.
To Plan a comprehensive program for the prevention Control or abatement of pollution of
streams and wells.

To advise the State Government on any matters concerning the prevention, Control or
abatement of water pollution.
To collect and disseminate information relating to the water pollution and prevention, control
or abatement thereof.
To encourage, conduct and participate in investigations and research relating to problems of
water pollution, prevention, control or abatement of water pollution.
To inspect sewage or trade effluents, works and plants for the treatment of sewage and trade effluents and to
review plans, specifications or other data relating to plant set up for the treatment of water, works for the
purification thereof and the system for the disposal of sewage or trade effluents or in connection with the
grant of any consent as required by this act.

Lay down, modify or annual effluent standards for the sewage and trade effluents and for the
quantity of receiving water (not being) water in an inter-state stream) resulting from the
discharge of effluents and to classify waters in the state.
To evolve economical and reliable methods of treatment of sewage and trade effluents, having regard to
the peculiar conditions of soils, climate and water resources of different region and more especially the
prevailing flow characteristics of water in streams and wells,

which render it impossible to attain even the minimum degree of dilution and other such
functions.
Section 25/26 of the Water Act says that no industry or operator process or any treatment and
disposal system can be established without the previous consent of the State Board and no industry
or process can discharge sewage or trade effluent into a stream or well or sewer or land in excess of
the standards & without the consent of the Board whoever contravenes the provisions of section 25
or section 26 of the Water Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for term which shall not be
less than one and half year but which may extend to six years with fine under section 43/44 of the
Water Act.
The industry can make an appeal if aggrieved against the orders of the Board under section 28
of the Water Act. The Board can issue directions for closure of industry & disconnection of
electricity in case of persistent defiance by any polluting industry under section 33-A of the
Water Act.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 represents one of Indias first
attempts to deal with an environmental issue comprehensively.

Objectives:
This specialized legislative measure is meant to tackle one facet of environmental pollution. 5
6

The fundamental objective of the Act is to provide clean drinking water to the citizens. Its
other main objectives are:
To provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and maintaining or restoring of
wholesomeness of water.
To establish Central and State Boards for prevention and control of water pollution.
To provide for conferring on and assigning to such Boards of powers and functions relating
thereto and for matters connected therewith.
To provide penalties for the contravention of the provisions of the Act.
To establish Central and State water-testing laboratories to enable the Board to assess the
extent of pollution, lay down standards and establish guilt or default.
Stells Silk Ltd v State of Karnataka, AIR 2001 Kant. 219 at 224
A.P Pollution Control Board v M.V. Nayudu, (2001) 2 SCC 62

In State of Manipur v Chandam Manihar Singh , the Supreme Court held that under Section 5 the
term of office of a member of a Board, which would include the Chairman as laid down by section
4(2)(a) of the Act, would be three years from the date of nomination.
8
In Akhil Bharat Goseva Sangh v State of Andhra Pradesh , it was held that mere fact that
member of the State Pollution Control Board were scientific experts, would not itself satisfy the
requirements of Section 4 unless the qualifications as prescribed were otherwise held by the
members.

Powers and Functions of Boards

Central Board (Section 16): The main function of Central Board is to promote cleanliness of
streams and wells in different areas of the States. It should also advise the Central Government on
matters concerning prevention and control of water pollution. Co-ordinate the activities if the State
Boards and resolve dispute among them. Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data
relating to water pollution and establish laboratories for analysis of water samples, of any sewage
or trade effluent.
State Board (Section 17): The functions of State board include planning a comprehensive program for
the prevention, control or abetment of water pollution. It should also advise the State Government on
matters concerning prevention and control of water pollution. Also collect information and conduct
investigation of various causes of water pollution. Thereafter lay down effluent standards to be
compiled with by persons while discharging sewage.
9

In M.C Mehta v Union of India , the tanneries were discharging effluent in Ganga and they
were not setting up a primary treatment plant in spite of being asked to do so several years.
They did not put up their appearance before the Supreme Court to express rheir willingness to
take appropriate steps to establish the pre-treatment plant. In view of these circumstances the
Court directed them to stop working their tanneries.
In Sureshwar D. Sinha v Union of India10, the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Environment had stated
before the Court that 2005 could be treated as cut-off point for cleaning of Yamuna in Delhi. The Court
questioned the statement and why should the pollution continue till 2005. 11

(1997) 7 SCC 503

(2006) 4 SCC 162
A.I.R 1988 SC 1037
(2000) 8 SCC 368
Also see AQFM Yamuna v Central Pollution Control Board (2000) 9 SCC 440

12

In Ramji Patel v Nagrik Upbhokta Marg Darshak Manch , a PIL was filed before the High Court
alleging that dairy owners were storing cattle dung and waste of dairy products near the main
drinking water pipeline which was contaminating the pure water. Supreme Court directed the
Central Pollution Control Board to submit a report as to prevent altogether the possibility of
contamination and pollution of potable water carried through the pipeline.
13
In State of M.P v Kedia Leather & Liquor Ltd. , the State Board was neither taking any action
nor inspecting various industries discharging pollutants in contravention of the provisions of
the Act. The Supreme Court deprecated the negligence shown by the Board in discharging its
statutory functions and held that the Board is expected to carry out its functions without
directions being issued by the court in that regard.

Prevention and Control of Water Pollution

Chapter V of the Act contains different provisions for prevention and control of water pollution.
The State Government has power to restrict the application to certain areas. For the purpose of
performing its functions under the Act, the State Board has power to obtain information
through surveys, gauge and keep records of flow or volume and other characteristics of streams
and wells. It also has power to take samples of effluents from any water body for the purpose of
examination and analysis.
14
In Delhi Bottling Co. Pvt. Ltd. V Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Pollution ,
the Board took a sample of the trade effluents from a bottling companys discharge stream. The
Board got the trade effluent analyzed and found that it did not conform to the requirements of
their consent order granted to the company. The Court held that the sample was not taken in
strict compliance and was not admissible in evidence. Thus, decided in the favor of the
Company.
In Abdul Hamid v Gwalior Rayon Co. the Court pointed out that Section 21 of the Act were meant for
protection of the industries and industrialists ensuring a proper balance between the conflicting claims
of the nations industrial progress and the hazards to the citizens.
Section 23 of the Act confers the power of entry and inspection on the State Boards for performing
its functions. These is also extended for examining plant, record, register, documents etc and seize
such objects if it forms evidence against commission of offence
(2000) 3 SCC 29
(2001) 9 SCC 605
AIR 1996 Del. 152.

punishable under the Act. Section 24 prohibits use of stream or well for disposal of polluting
matter by knowingly permitting any poisonous, noxious or substance impeding proper flow of
the water of the resource. Section 25 provides restrictions on establishment of new outlets
which is likely to cause discharge sewage or trade effluent into water bodies.
In Narula Dyeing and Printing Works v Union of India16, it was held that a mere consent order
issued by the State Board under Section 25 doesnt entitle the applicant to discharge trade
effluents into stream and it is incumbent upon the applicant to comply with the conditions
mentioned consent order.
In Mahabir Soap and Godakhu Factory v Union of India17, the consent to the continuation of
the factory was refused by the State Board on the ground that the factory is located in a
populated area and there has been a public complaint on pollution caused by the factory.
In M.C Mehta v UOI18, the Supreme Court held that the financial capacity of the tanneries
should be considered as irrelevant while requiring them to establish primary treatment plants.
In Vijayanagar Educational Trust v KSPC Board Bangalore19, it was held that if a person is
already discharging any sewage or trade effluent before the commencement of the Act, he must
seek the consent of the State Board within the prescribed time as per Section 26 of the Act.
In T.N Godavarman v Union of India20, it was held that where there are multiple sources of
pollution, it is permissible to regulate them step by step, one at a time and it is not open to the
court to tell the government as to which sources should be prioritized.
Section 30 provides that where the Board has imposed any conditions on any person while
granting consent which requires the person to execute any work and on failure of which the
Board itself may execute it after giving notice to the concerned person and may recover
expenses incurred during the execution. Under Section 42 it is the duty of the person In charge
to intimidate to the State Board occurrence of any incident wherein accidently any polluting
matter entered the water body.21
As per Section 32, the Board has powers to take emergency measures in case of pollution of
stream or well if due to any accident or unforeseen act or event poisonous substance has
AIR 1995 Guj 185
AIR 1995 Ori 218
AIR 1988 SC 1037
AIR 2002 Kant 123
(2006) 5 SCC 47
Bal Kishan v Union of India, (1994) 3 SLJ (CAT 440)

entered the water. It may carry out any such operation for the removal and disposing off the
mattered and issue orders restraining or prohibiting the person concerned discharging such
noxious matter. Under Section 33, the Board has pore to make application to courts for
restraining apprehended pollution of water in streams and wells. Section 33-A gives the power
to the Board to give directions such as (1) closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry,
operation or process, or (2) the stoppage or regulation of supply of electricity, water or any
other service.
22

In Maharaja Shri Umaid Mills Ltd, Pali v State , it was held that the proceeding under section
33 of the Water Act is criminal in nature. Therefore, if the complaint under S.33 is dismissed
then restoration of the same under Cr.P.C is not permissible.
23

In Mandu Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. V M.P Pradushan Niwaran Mandal , the directions were given
but the Board for stoppage of production of the industry. However, the grounds stated in the
show-cause notice and basis of the order was not same. There was also denial of principles if
natural justice and consequent violation of inbuilt procedural safeguards. The Court quashed
this order.
24

In Ambuja Petrochemicals Ltd. V A.P Pollution Control Board , the effluent treatment plant of
the industry was not in operation. Partially treated effluent was being discharged causing water
pollution in the tank resulting in danger to public life. Court upheld the State Boards direction
of the closure of the industry.
25

In Re: Bhavani River Sakthi Sugars Ltd , the industry did not comply with some of the
directions given by the Pollution Control Board regarding proper storage and treatment of
effluents in the lagoons. . Court upheld the State Boards direction of the closure of the
industry.
26

Similarly in Stella Silks Ltd v State of Karnataka , the industry was violating various
provisions of the Act and conditions imposed there under for its own benefit. It also flouted
orders of the court . The Board ordered for the closure of the industry. The Court upholding this
dismissed the petition of the company with cost of Rs 5000/-

AIR 1998 Raj 9

AIR 1995 M.P, 57

AIR 1997 AP 41
(1998) 2 SCC 601
AIR 2001 Kant. 219

The Environment (Protection) Act

The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 clearly extends to water quality and the control of water pollution.
Section 2(a) of the Act defines the environment to include water and the interrelationship which exists among
and between water and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms, property. The Act
27
authorises the Central Government to establish standards for the quality of the environment and for
28
emission or discharge of environment pollutants from any source. The Ministry of Environment and
Forests has published Environment (Protection) Rules establishing general standards and industry-based
29
standards for certain types of effluent discharge. The ministry has not yet promulgated rules establishing
ambient inland water quality standards though state boards must have regard to the assimilative capacity of
30
receiving bodies. In 1997, the Maharashtra pollution control board pioneered the development of ambient
31
norms for fresh water bodies. However, these norms do not have statutory sanction and serve only to guide
industry in selecting a suitable location.

The Environment Act includes a citizens Initiative provision 32 and a provision authorising the Central
Government to issue direct orders to protect the environment. 33 The Central Government may delegate
specified duties and powers under the Environment Act to any officer, state government, or other
authority.34 For example, the power to issue directions under section 5 has been delegated to the state
governments and the power of entry and the right to take samples under sections 10 and 11 have been
delegated to various officers.

Nuisance Law and Water Pollution

Public Nuisance Actions under the Code of Criminal Procedure
35

In the landmark Ratlam Municipality Case, the Supreme Court did not considered the effect of
the Water Act on the availability of injunctive relief under section 133. There is a
Section 3(2)(iii)
Section 3(2)(iv)
Schedule I and Schedule VI, Environment (Protection) Rules. Industry-based standards override general standards.
Annexure I, Schedule VI, Environment (Protection) Rules. In 1988, the minister issued water quality standards for
coastal waters. Entry 86, Schedule I, Environment (Protection) Rules.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Classification of River Water & Guidelines for Location of Industrial Activity
(1997).
Section 19(b)
Section 5

Section 23
AIR 1980 SC 1622

divergence of judicial opinion of this issue. Initially the Kerala High Court in Tata Tea ruled that a court
could not entertain a section 133 action to abate water pollution, even where the state board was remiss.
According to this view, the Water Act was a complete code to prevent water pollution and impliedly
repealed the provisions of section 133 of the Criminal Procedural Code in so far as they relate to the
prevention and control of water pollution.36
37

In Nagarjuna Paper Mills Ltd. V. Sub-Division Magistrate, the Andhra Pradesh High Court established a
less stringent rule, taking the position that section 133 injunctive relief was available as long as it did not
interfere with an order of a state pollution control board issued under the Water Act. The court noted that the
magistrates decision to issue an order for injunctive relief was based on a report submitted by the
superintendent engineer of pollution control board itself, which stated that water pollution from the paper
mills was harming people and cattle. This view was also adopted by a division bench of Kerala High Court in
38
39
Krishna Paniker v Appukutan Nair, overruling the contrary opinion expressed in Tata Tea. However
40
without considering Panickers Case, the Karnataka High Court in 1997 followed Tata Tea, then quickly
41
retreated, preferring the approach of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Injunctive Relief under Common Law

A private party who suffers and unreasonable interference with the enjoyment of his or her
property, may bring a common law action to restrain the polluter. The following case, considers
whether section 58 of the Water Act bars the jurisdiction of the civil courts to entertain private
nuisance suits.
Sreenivasa Distilleries v. Thyagarajan

42

Section 58 enacts two prohibitions. Firstly, not to entertain any suit or proceedings in respect of any matter
which the appellate authority constituted under the Act is empowered to determine. Secondly, no injunction
shall be granted in respect of any action taken by any authority under the act in pursuance of the provisions
of the Act. This is the only provision barring the jurisdiction of a Civil Court. This section is intended to
preserve the statutory protection given
Tata Tea Ltd. V. State of Kerala 1984 KER. L.T. 645.
1987 CRI. L.J. 2071.
1993 (1) KER. L.T. 771
Supra note 14.
Executive Apparel Processor v. The Taluka Executive Magistrate 1997 (4) KAR. L.J. 181.
Harihar Polyfibres v. Sub-Divisional
42

AIR 1986 AP 328

to the boards untouched by the civil actions. Now, the present action is only preventing the defendant
from polluting water. But this section is not directed to annul any orders passed by the authority
constituted under this Act. Now it is admitted that no orders are passed under the Act, and, therefore,
any order passed by the Civil Court will not take away the jurisdiction of authorities constituted under
the Act. Hence, Section 58 does not prohibit the jurisdiction of the Civil Court to entertain any suit or
proceeding restraining the defendant to cause pollution.

Riparian Rights and Water Pollution

A riparian owner is one who has title to land adjacent to a natural stream. The Indian legal
system has recognised the right of riparian owners to unpolluted waters at least since the
adoption of Indian Easements Act 1882. Under Sec. 7 of that Act every riparian owner has the
right to the continued flow of the waters of a natural stream in its natural condition without
obstruction or unreasonable pollution.
The legal system also recognises a common law riparian right to unpolluted water. This
common law right is rarely invoked in contemporary litigation concerning water pollution. The
Supreme Court, however, revived this doctrine in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India
(Municipalities) by stating:
In common law the Municipal Corporation can be restrained by an injunction in an action
brought by a riparian owner who has suffered on account of the pollution of the water in a river
caused by the Corporation by discharging into the river insufficiently treated sewage from
43
discharging such sewage into the river.
The Ganga Action Plan
Amidst great fanfare in 1985, the Government of Indian announced an ambitious new plan for
cleaning up Ganga river. A newly created Ganga Authority, headed by Prime Minister, is
ultimately responsible for the rivers restoration. The eight-member authority includes the
Central Governments planning and environmental ministers and the chief ministers of the
states through which the Ganges flows.
The Central pollution control board has produced an Action Plan for the Prevention of Pollution of the
Ganga as a guide for steps in the cleanup. The government has established as inter-department steering
committee to formulate detailed components of this Plan and to administer and monitor implementation
of the Plan. A Ganga Project Directorate is included
43

AIR 1988 SC 1115.

within the Department of Environment to appraise and clear projects prepared by field level
agencies, release funds, and coordinate long-term activities under the Action Plan.
The Ganga Action is based on a comprehensive survey of the Ganga Basin carried out by the
Central board. About 80 per cent of the pollution in the river is caused by raw sewage discharged
directly into the river. The first phase of the Ganga Action Plan focuses on construction of an
extensive network of self-sustaining sewage treatment plants in the cities along the Ganga River as
the first measure to reduce pollution. Most of the physical infrastructure for intercepting, diverting
44
and treating municipal sewage has been created, though the efficacy of these schemes remains
45
uncertain. In the second phase, the Plan envisages establishing similar facilities along the Gangas
major tributaries, including the Yamuna and Gomti. The Central Government has also initiated an
ambitious scheme to replicate the Ganga model for cleaning up polluted stretches elsewhere in the
country through a National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).

Ganga Pollution Cases

The Ganga Pollution Cases are the most significant water pollution cases to date. In 1985, M.C.
Mehta, an activist Supreme Court advocate, filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the
Constitution. Among other things, the petition was directed at the Kanpur Municipalitys failure
to prevent waste water from polluting the Ganga. Mehta asked the court to order the
governmental authorities and tanneries at Jajmau near Kanpur to stop polluting the Ganga with
sewage and trade effluents.
The ensuing litigation involved hundreds of polluters and the Supreme Court noticed the action
as a representative action under Order 1, Rule 8 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The main issue
was the pollution of river ganga even after more than two decades after the enactment of the
water act.
In M.C Mehta v. Union of India (Kanpur Tanneries)46 the court issued direct orders to cease operations.
Similarly in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Municipalities) 47 the Supreme Court retained jurisdiction in
Municipalities to review the steps taken by all the mahapalikas and municipalities along the Ganges in
Uttar Pradesh to control water pollution.

Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, Annual Report: 1997-98 (1998)
Shankar, Purifying the Ganga in Down to Earth, 30 September 1992, p.25 and Banerji, Change at Last in Down to Earth,
28 February 1998, p. 20. The second article quotes a UK study suggesting some improvement In the water quality.
AIR 1988 SC 1037
AIR 1988 SC 1115

Judicial Initiatives in Gujrat

In early 1995, under the stewardship of Chief Justice B.N. Kirpal the Gujrat High Court
embarked on a crusade against industrial pollution. Gujrat has large chemical and textile
industries which have thrived at the cost of the environment. As the High Court discovered,
untreated effluents from scores of units had blighted agricultural fields around Ahmedabad city.
48
In Pravinbhai J. Patel v. State of Gujrat the court was dealing with extensive loss suffered by
the farmers on account on account of damage to crops from contaminated surface water. The
court accepted the loss estimated at Rs 28,34,000 by a team of government official, directed the
State Government to deposit the full amount (less contributions from industry) in court to
enable distribution to the farmers; and ordered the state to recover the entire amount from
49
industry.
Lakes
50

Many of Indias fresh water lakes are imperilled by civic and development pressures. In the case of M.C.
51
Mehta v. Union of India (BADKHAL & SURAJKUND LAKES) the Supreme Court attempts to stem the
rot by framing ad hoc regulations to preserve two lakes in Haryana.

Groundwater
In many parts of India, industry, agriculturists and municipalities are increasing their
dependence on groundwater resources. For the user this is an attractive option since the source
is continuous (unlike monsoon fed river streams), the water is generally clean and the user need
not depend on external agency for the supply. The rights to the underground water are attached
to the land and hence land owners may draw on the ground water and use it as if it were their
52
own private property. According to Chhatrapati Singh this private ownership regime is
inequitable because it leaves out all the landless and tribals who do not enjoy private
ownership.

1995 (2) GUJ.L.REP 1210

The estimate of Rs 28,34,000 (1995(6) SCALE 578) was revised to Rs. 1,39,09,737 (1996(5) SCALE 412). The state
government was directed to deposit the larger amount as well.
Narendra. Kolleru Lake: The Broken Mirror and Vania, Pulicat Lake: The Salt of Earth in Down to Earth, 31 December
1993 at 26 and 32
(1997) 3 SCC 715
Singh, Water Rights and Principles of Water Resources Management, 39 (1991)

Since exploitation of the groundwater has a bearing on the users fundamental right to life under
Article 21 of the Constitution, her right to dig bore wells cannot be restricted by an executive fiat.
53
This right may be restricted or regulated only by an Act of the legislature.

There is no national statute regulating groundwater resources and apart from Gujrat none of the
states have legislated in this field. The Gujrat amendments to Bombay Irrigation Act introduced
a licencing procedure for sinking tube wells and prohibited the sinking of tube wells beyond a
54
depth of 45 meters.
55

Until the Supreme Court judgment in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, the Union Government was
of the view that central legislation may not be permissible since Water was a state subject under
Schedule VII of the Constitution. It state would need to introduce separate legislation to regulate
and control groundwater resources and to assist the states, a model bill was circulated in 1970. The
Supreme Court, however, expressed a prima facie view that Art. 253 of the Constitution and the
provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 (EPA) empowered the Centre to regulate
groundwater exploitation. The courts observations were made on an application filled by M.C.
Mehta urging the Central Government to constitute a national authority under Sec. 3(3) of the EPA
to insure that groundwater resources are managed sustainably. Noting the recommendations made
by the National Environment Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, the Supreme Court directed
the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest to constitute the Central Ground Water Board as an
authority under Sec. 3(3) of the EPA to regulate the indiscriminate exploitation of underground
water in a country.

Puttappa H. Talavar v. Deputy Commissioner AIR 1998 KAR 10.

Supra note 117.
1997 (11)SCC 312.

Conclusion
Water is one of the most crucial elements in developmental planning of India for the 21st century. The
growth of urban megalopolises, increased industrial activity and dependence of the agricultural sector
on chemicals and fertilizers has resulted in the overcharging of the carrying capacity of the water bodies
to assimilate and decompose wastes. Several ambitious legal and institutional measures and projects like
the Water Pollution Act, Pollution Control Boards, and the National River Action Plan have yielded no
significant results. There is a need to bring about a perceivable shift in philosophy and address water
problems to meet the demands of a growing population by improving efficiency, prioritizing the water
demand sector-wise, and adopting policies and practices that check resource degradation. The judicial
interpretation in India helped evolve the fundamental right to water, in which its Supreme Court decided
that it will be implied in Article 21, including the right to a clean environment to sustain life. In
addition, the Supreme Court has applied the "precautionary principle" to prevent the potential pollution
of drinking water sources during industrial development, and issued an order to polluters to clean up
water sources and coastlines.
The waters of Ganges, once considered to be sacred, is the most polluted in India due to large scale
discharge of sewage and industrial effluents into it. The earlier attempts to regulate and control pollution
of water resources by application of criminal provisions of nuisance did prove to be vital only up to
some extent. Fast urbanization, industrialization and steep demand for water have led to serious
problems of water quality degradation. There is a fluctuating trend of water quality attributed to the flow
conditions in the river which depend on rainfall and water abstraction. In view of water scarcity in the
basin, it is very important that no wastewater be discharged into the river. There is an urgent need to
augment water availability in the basin by rainwater collection, water conservation and environmental
flow determination in various segments of the river affected by water abstraction.
With emphasis on industrialization and globalization, the shift towards economic development has taken
priority over environmental issues. However, due to the large scale water scarcity almost all the States
are alarmed and concerned to provide safe and clean water to their citizens as its endeavour towards
realizing the fundamental rights of its citizens.

By:- Sauro Broto Dutta And Gargi Agrawal, 2nd Year, B.A LL.B(Hons.) Symbiosis Law

School, Noida