NGT issues notice to Tirunelveli Collector over threats to Tamirabharani fish species

The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has issued notice to the Tirunelveli Collector and five others over threats faced by fish species in Tamirabharani River due to pollution and habitat loss.

Taking suo motu cognisance of a report, titled ‘Tamirabharani’s Endemic Fish Face Threats From Pollution, Habitat Loss’, published in The Hindu on September 28, the Bench, comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert members A. Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahamed, directed that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, the Central Pollution Control Board’s Regional Office in Chennai, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), and Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre (ACCC) be impleaded as respondents, besides the Collector.

The order said: “The above news item attracts the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and prima facie raises substantial questions relating to the environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.”

The Bench directed the Registry to list the matter before the Southern Bench of the Tribunal, Chennai, on January 22, 2027, as the cause of action had arisen within its territorial jurisdiction.

It also directed the respondents to file their responses before the Bench at least one day ahead of the date of hearing. The Hindu had reported that 125 fish species had been identified in upstream, midstream and lower estuarine stretches of the river. Seven of them are endemic to the Tamirabharani.

Pollution, habitat destruction, loss of riparian vegetation, invasive fish and aquatic plants, use of soaps and shampoos by people bathing in the river, rituals performed on its banks, dumping of puja materials and clothes, and discharge of untreated sewage have contributed to the decline in fish populations.

Published - November 07, 2026 10:30 pm IST