Indian Army Faces Show-Cause Notice and Fine in Ladakh Over Water Contamination Allegations

The Indian Army has been served with a show-cause notice and imposed with a fine by the union territory of Ladakh following allegations of water contamination. The notice, which was sent to the station commander of the headquarters in Leh, Ladakh last week, referenced a widely circulated video on social media. The video depicted an army sewage-carrying container releasing untreated sewage directly into the Skara Stream near the water filling station on G.H. Road, resulting in significant water pollution.

The notice emphasised that the video had quickly gained traction, attracting substantial viewership and generating considerable concern within the online community. It cited the Union government's general discharge standards of environmental pollutants from various sources under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as a basis for the action taken.

The notice quoted the relevant section of the Act which states the consequences for non-compliance or contravention of its provisions. It stipulated that anyone failing to adhere to the Act, its rules, orders, or directions could face imprisonment for a term of up to five years, or a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both. In the event that the failure or contravention continues, an additional fine of up to five thousand rupees for each day of non-compliance may be imposed after the initial conviction.

In response to the incident, the pollution control committee has mandated the Indian Army to pay an ‘Environmental Compensation’ (EC) amounting to ₹5,000. The Fire and Fury Corps, representing the Indian Army, took to Twitter to acknowledge the error as a one-off mistake and assured the public that appropriate measures have been implemented to rectify the situation.

The issuance of the show-cause notice and the subsequent fine serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the environment and adhering to pollution control regulations. It highlights the need for all stakeholders, including the military, to be vigilant in their actions to prevent any adverse impact on the environment. By addressing this incident promptly and taking corrective measures, it is hoped that similar occurrences can be prevented in the future, ensuring the preservation of Ladakh's pristine natural resources.