VANASHAKTI Vs. MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Kakalia, learned counsel for the petitioners, Ms. Kantharia, learned Government Pleader for the State of Maharashtra and Ms. Dhond, learned counsel for Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (hereafter referred as "MCGM").

(2.) Almost every year, without fail, just prior to the Ganesh Chaturthi festival the issue relating to environmentally and ecologically safe immersion of idols in various water bodies of the city of Mumbai, has been knocking the doors of this Court, however, it appears that the authorities of the MCGM and other public bodies have not risen to the occasion with regards to the aspect of environmental impact/pollution causing concerns in the mind of the general public of the city.

(3.) This Court, as far back as on 22/7/2008 issued certain directions, both to the Central Government as also to the State Government, while passing an order in Writ Petition No. 1325 of 2003, whereby it was expected of the Central Government to lay down certain guidelines for immersion of idols. In deference to the said order dated 22 nd July 2008, the Central Pollution Control Board (hereinafter referred to as "the CPCB") issued guidelines, dtd. 12/5/2020, which commence with a very beautiful and meaningful quote from Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, which is extracted herein below: -