Sikkim High Court bans untreated sewage discharge into Teesta tributaries at Lachen and Lachung

The Sikkim High Court issued a directive today requiring authorities to halt the discharge of untreated sewage into the tributaries of the Teesta River that run through the tourist‑popular villages of Lachen and Lachung. The order comes after environmental groups raised concerns that the untreated waste was contaminating the pristine water bodies, threatening local ecosystems and public health.

The court instructed the Sikkim State Pollution Control Board and local municipal bodies to implement immediate measures to divert or treat the sewage before it reaches the river. Failure to comply could attract contempt proceedings.

State officials said they would assess existing sewage infrastructure and explore rapid‑deployment solutions, including temporary treatment units, to meet the court’s mandate. The ruling underscores growing judicial activism on environmental protection in the Himalayan state.

Local residents, whose livelihoods depend on tourism and agriculture, welcomed the decision, emphasizing the need to preserve the region’s natural beauty and water quality for future generations.