Executive Summary:
This document addresses concerns regarding wildlife deaths and water pollution in Solapur, specifically concerning Shri Siddheshwar Lake. It outlines actions taken by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and other authorities following a reported incident in April-May 2025. The document also details broader governmental measures for water body conservation and pollution control. It references actions and guidelines from as early as 1974, with a focus on ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts.
Key Points / Main Content:
Shri Siddheshwar Lake Incident:
* Turtle and fish deaths were reported at Shri Siddheshwar Temple Lake in April-May 2025.
* The lake's maintenance is the responsibility of the Shri Siddheshwar Temple committee.
* An inspection was conducted by MPCB, Solapur Municipal Corporation, Forest Department, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department of the Government of Maharashtra.
* The MPCB directed Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan and Solapur Municipal Corporation to improve the lake's water quality on 13.06.2025.
* The cause of death of turtles could not be ascertained via postmortem.
* Low dissolved oxygen and high BOD/COD levels were detected in the lake's water.
* Solapur Municipal Corporation (SMC) initiated an aeration fountain system.
* PWD was directed to install an additional aeration system.
Governmental Measures for Water Conservation and Pollution Control:
* The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986, are in place to protect water bodies.
* General environmental standards were stipulated under the Environment Protection Rules, 1986.
* SPCBs/PCCs were directed to develop sewage treatment infrastructure (reference letter dated 21.04.2015).
* SPCBs/PCCs were requested to prevent pollution of stagnant water bodies (reference letter dated 17.02.2023).
* The CPCB, in association with SPCBs/PCCs, monitors water quality at 4,736 locations, including 558 lakes, under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP).
* The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) is implemented for wetland conservation and management.
* The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, provide a regulatory framework for wetland conservation.
Impact Analysis:
State Government and Union Territory Administration:
* Impact: Primarily responsible for the protection and management of wildlife and its habitat.
* Action Required: The Chief Wild Life Wardens must take necessary action for violations of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Shri Siddheshwar Temple Committee:
* Impact: Responsible for the maintenance of Shri Siddheshwar Lake.
* Action Required: Implement measures for water quality improvement as directed by MPCB.
Solapur Municipal Corporation (SMC):
* Impact: Involved in addressing water quality issues in Shri Siddheshwar Lake.
* Action Required: Implement measures for water quality improvement as directed by MPCB, including operating aeration systems.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and monitoring pollution control measures.
* Action Required: Implement provisions of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986; monitor water quality; ensure necessary action to prevent pollution of stagnant water bodies.
Public Works Department (PWD):
* Impact: To install additional aeration system.
* Action Required: Install additional aeration system as directed by Chairman, Solapur Collector.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Pollution Control Board: A statutory organisation established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, responsible for monitoring and regulating pollution.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board: The state-level agency in Maharashtra responsible for implementing environmental regulations and monitoring pollution within the state.
Shri Siddheshwar Lake: A lake located in Solapur, Maharashtra, which has experienced fish kills and recurring contamination.
Solapur Municipal Corporation: The municipal corporation responsible for local governance and services in Solapur, Maharashtra.
The Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974: An act enacted by the Government of India to prevent and control water pollution.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: An act enacted by the Government of India to protect and improve the environment.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: An act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1972 for the protection of plants and animal species.
Wetlands Conservation and Management Rules, 2017: Rules notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 for the conservation and management of wetlands in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1162
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Wildlife Deaths and Water Pollution in Solapur
1162. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether any direction has been issued to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to complete a forensic investigation,
publish the cause of death for the 55 protected turtles, and judicially penalize any
authorities or polluters found responsible for the said incident and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to mandate an immediate ecological audit and
rehabilitation programme–including sewage diversion, dredging and riparian buffer
restoration– under the Water Act and Wildlife Protection Act considering the lake has
a history of fish kills and recurring contamination and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the plans proposed by the Government to install continuous water quality
monitoring systems in protected wildlife habitats like Siddheshwar Lake, enforce real-
time pollution alerts and ensure monthly public reporting to prevent future ecological
tragedies?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (b)
The protection and management of wildlife and its habitat is primarily the responsibility
of the concerned State Government and Union Territory Administration. The Chief Wild
Life Wardens of the States/Union Territories are empowered to take necessary action under
the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for violation of provisions of the
Act.
As per the information received from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the
death incident of turtles and fishes was reported at Shri Siddheshwar Temple Lake in the
month of April-May 2025. Shri Siddheshwar lake is sole property of Shri Siddheshwar
Temple committee and maintenance of the said lake solely lies with the temple committee.
The inspection of Shri Siddheshwar Temple Lake and surrounding was conducted by
MPCB, other concerned authorities including Solapur Municipal Corporation, and Forest
Department, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department of the Government of
Maharashtra.
The MPCB issued direction on 13/06/2025 under section 33 A of Water (Prevention &
Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan and Solapur Municipal
Corporation directing them to take appropriate measures for water quality improvement oflake. As per the postmortem of dead turtles conducted by District Veterinary Polyclinic
Officers along with Veterinary Officers of Solapur Municipal Corporation (SMC) on 9th
May 2025, the cause of death of turtles could not be ascertained. As per the inspection of
MPCB and the water quality analysis report of lake, the amount of dissolved oxygen was
found to be very low, the BOD / COD (biological / chemical oxygen demand) parameters
were found at higher side. SMC has started aeration fountain system on immediate basis.
Further, a meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Collector, Solapur and directions
were given to PWD to install additional aeration system.
(c) The steps taken by the government for conservation of lakes and prevention & control of
water pollution are given below:
Goverment of India enacted The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1974 and various provisions under The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for
protection of water bodies and the Central & State Pollution Control Boards are
implementing the provisions of both The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to prevent and control pollution
of aquatic resources.
Government of India stipulated General environmental standards under Environment
(Protection) Rules, 1986 with an aim to prevent pollution in the water bodies.
SPCBs/PCCs have been directed under Section 18(1) (b) of The Water (Prevention &
Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 vide letter dated 21.04.2015 to direct concerned
agencies in the State/UT to develop infrastructure for sewage treatment.
CPCB vide letter dated 17.02.2023 requested all the SPCBs/PCCs to ensure necessary
action to prevent, control/abate pollution of stagnant water bodies in respective
States/UTs as per provisions of Section 17.1.(a) of the Water (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Act, 1974.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with the State Pollution
Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitors water quality
of aquatic resources in the country at 4,736 locations which includes 558 on Lakes
under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP).
MoEF&CC is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme namely, National Plan for
Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)/2024 for conservation and management
of wetlands in the country, on cost sharing basis between Central Government and
respective State Governments. The scheme covers various activities such as
interception, treatment of wastewater, shoreline protection, in-situ cleaning i.e.,
desilting and deweeding, storm water management, bioremediation, catchment area
treatment including tree plantation in catchment area, survey and demarcation, bio-
fencing, fisheries development, weed control, biodiversity conservation, education and
awareness creation, community participation, etc.
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified the
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 under the provisions of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as regulatory framework for conservation and
management of wetlands across the country to conserve, manage and maintain the
ecological character of the wetlands. The said Rules inter-alia restrict the activities, like
solid waste dumping, discharge of untreated wastes and effluents from industries, cities,
towns, villages etc. In accordance with the provisions of the Wetlands (Conservation
and Management) Rules, 2017, the primary responsibility for the conservation and
management of wetlands lies with the respective State Wetland Authorities.
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