NGT registers suo motu case after news report says vegetables in Bengaluru contaminated with heavy metals

The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of vegetables sold in Bengaluru being contaminated with heavy metals. .The case was initiated based on an article published in One India stating that a study by Environment Managemental and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) found contamination levels exceeding permissible limits set by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).As per the news article, vegetables cultivated with wastewater have shown presence of heavy metals. The concentration of iron was almost two times and in coriander and spinach, Cadmium which is a toxic heavy metal was found to be 52.30 mg per kg as against 0.2 mg per kg. Nickel exceeded 67.9 mg per kg in vegetables. The KSPCB, on advance notice filed a brief report referring to the study of EMPRI and its findings. The report mentioned that to understand the extent of contamination in vegetables, a more comprehensive and in-depth study involving its sources was necessary at State level..A coram of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr. A Senthil Vel observed that a serious issue relating to environment had been raised.Accordingly, the Tribunal took up the impleaded the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and EMPRI as respondents..The NGT instructed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to verify the factual position and scrutinize the EMPRI study. Additionally, it mandated the submission of both the factual status and the action taken report to the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).Furthermore, the court directed the CPCB to gather vegetable samples and analyze them for individual heavy metals and pesticide parameters. This analysis was to be conducted in the CPCB's Central Laboratory in Delhi, adhering to standard methods, with the subsequent report to be submitted.The matter has been listed for further hearing by the Southern Bench of the NGT on January 10, 2024..[Read Order]