These directions were issued in accordance with a judgment passed in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs. Union of India (1996). 

• In this judgement, the SC observed that "Precautionary Principle" and "Polluter Pays Principle" are essential features of "Sustainable Development."
  • Polluter pays’ principle is a practice where those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.
  • Precautionary principle enables decision-makers to adopt precautionary measures when evidence of environmental or human health hazard is uncertain.

Key Highlights of SC Directions 

• The State Government to pay compensation to affected individuals which is to be recovered from the polluters as per ‘polluter pays’ principle.
• The SC asked State to constitute an expert committee to assess and audit the ecological damage and suggest remedial measures.

Palar River Pollution due to Tanneries            

• The Palar River in Tamil Nadu is heavily polluted by tanneries which discharge untreated chemical effluents, including toxic heavy metals like chromium.
• Tanneries are factories where animal hides are processed and transformed into leather. 
• The untreated discharge from tanneries causes irreversible damage to the water bodies, groundwater and agricultural lands etc.