These directions were issued in accordance with a judgment passed in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs. Union of India (1996).
- In this judgement, the SC observed that "Precautionary Principle" and "Polluter Pays Principle" are essential features of "Sustainable Development."
- Polluter pays’ principle is a practice where those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.
- Precautionary principle enables decision-makers to adopt precautionary measures when evidence of environmental or human health hazard is uncertain.
Key Highlights of SC Directions
- The State Government to pay compensation to affected individuals which is to be recovered from the polluters as per ‘polluter pays’ principle.
- The SC asked State to constitute an expert committee to assess and audit the ecological damage and suggest remedial measures.
Palar River Pollution due to Tanneries
- The Palar River in Tamil Nadu is heavily polluted by tanneries which discharge untreated chemical effluents, including toxic heavy metals like chromium.
- Tanneries are factories where animal hides are processed and transformed into leather.
- The untreated discharge from tanneries causes irreversible damage to the water bodies, groundwater and agricultural lands etc.
SC Judgements Regarding Constitutionalization of Environmental Issues
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