NGT urges Centre to regulate groundwater use in Cricket fields

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• Apr 18, 2021 | moderator

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti to consider the issue of regulating the extraction of groundwater for the maintenance of cricket fields for IPL and other tournaments.

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The bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said, "Every effort is required to save portable water for drinking and cricket or other such grounds may be maintained, as far as possible, from the sewage treatment plant of high quality having no pathogens and offensive components. Also, the rainwater harvesting and storage of such water may be ensured."

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"That there can be no dispute with the proposition that conservation of water is a dire need of the current times." the bench added

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Further, the NGT added, "We hope the concerned authorities will act with a sense of responsibility and duty to reduce environmental footprint and societal need for conservation of every drop of water."

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The direction of the NGT came during the hearing of an application against the use of groundwater for maintenance of cricket playgrounds without availing the alternative of using STP treated water and installing rainwater harvesting systems for storing and recharge of groundwater.

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The alleged application given by Haider Ali raised the issue of using the groundwater for maintenance of cricket playground results in depriving people of portable water for drinking. Moreover, the petition raised the issue of Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for commercial and entertainment purposes without concern for water conservation.