NGT directs UP govt to close illegal scrap recovery units

The National Green Tribunal has directed Uttar Pradesh government and state pollution control board to shut illegal scrap recovery operations in the outskirts of the national capital.
"We direct Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to take all measures to stop operations of the factories which are running illegally...In District Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
"We further direct UP government, District Magistrate and SSP of Gaziabad to give all such necessary assistance to the officers of the UPPCB in implementation of the order," a bench headed by Justice U D Salvi bench said.
The green panel also ordered the Executive Engineer of the local municipal body and Paschimanchal Vidut Vitran Nigam Ltd to assist UPPCB in taking action against the erring units.

"If any, specific case of violation of law is reported to the UPPCB or to the District Administration, an expeditious action shall be taken by the official concerned and in any case of laxity shown in taking such action, the concerned official shall be held personally liable," the bench said.
On the last date of hearing, Central Pollution Control Board had told the tribunal that a joint inspection team comprising officers of CPCB and UPPCB has found illegal scrap recovery operations in the outskirts of national capital.

The apex pollution monitoring had body told the green panel that the Environment Ministry in 2014 had also sought information about e-waste recycling activities in Loni and Mandoli areas in pursuance to a letter by India Interpol which asked about environment crime incidents in Ghaziabad district.

It had said that number of illegal scrap recovery operations are carried out in the areas between Mandoli and Loni in Ghaziabad.
However, it was difficult to assess the number of such units since these activities were being carried out in small open plots in thickly populated residential areas, it had said.
The Tribunal was hearing a plea by law student Ishan Jha, filed through advocate Gaurav Bansal, seeking action against burning of e-waste in Loni and Mandoli areas here.