Shimla, Nov. 25 -- The National Green Tribunal has set a strict six-week deadline for the deputy commissioners of Shimla, Solan and Mandi to take action against sewage treatment plants (STPs) found discharging untreated effluents into rivers across Himachal Pradesh.

This comes during resumed hearing of suo moto cognizance taken by NGT regarding the media reports describing the Ashwani Khad as one of the state's most polluted rivers. The news reports had pointed out that the unregulated disposal of industrial effluents, untreated sewage and runoff from agricultural activities are polluting rivers and streams of Himachal Pradesh with Ashwini Khad that flows through Shimla being the worst hit.

During the hearing, NGT on November 20 - order...