Raj. Govt to respond on plea to include it in Aravalli matter

The National Green Tribunal today sought response of Rajasthan government on a plea seeking to involve it as a party in a case dealing with non-forest activity like mining in the Aravalli range.
A bench headed by Tribunal Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board (RPCB) seeking their responses by September 13.
The Tribunal (NGT) bench also asked the Chief Secretary of the state as well as officials of the CPCB and RPCB to appear before it saying their presence is necessary.
The order came on an application moved by senior advocate Raj Panjwani seeking impleadment of the state and the two authorities in the main petition being heard by the bench on the issue of alleged non-forest activity in the Aravalli range running through Haryana in violation of a May 1992 notification.

The 1992 notification prohibits activity like mining, industrial operations, felling of trees, etc, in the mountain range and news reports of such activities in the Aravallis in Haryana had lead NGT to take suo motu cognisance of the issue.
Seeking impleadment of Rajasthan government, Panjwani informed the bench that the situation in the Aravallis in the desert state is much worse as compared to Haryana.
In his application, Panjwani also sought directions to Rajasthan government to strictly enforce the provisions of the 1992 notification and take legal action against the offenders.