U'khand floods: lack of complete facts from authorities irks

"Unfortunate" is how the National Green Tribunal today termed the lack of complete facts in the replies of Environment Ministry, Uttarakhand government and other authorities concerned regarding the action taken to implement its and the Supreme Court's orders in wake of the recent floods in the state.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar was displeased with the responses of the ministry, state government and other authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) about how they have gone about implementing the orders of the Tribunal and the apex court.
"It is unfortunate that none of the respondents who have filed their replies is in a position to state complete facts of action taken before the Tribunal. Counsel for Uttarakhand government is not able to state whether the Supreme Court order of August 13, 2013, has been implemented or not. Affidavit is also incomplete in terms of our order of July 2," the bench said.

It also said the MoEF, Uttarakhand and other authorities have "failed to perform their statutory and constitutional duties" to protect the ecology and the environment of "such a beautiful state of our country".
The bench, while directing all authorities concerned to expeditiously implement the apex court's and NGT's orders, prohibited any construction in the beds and banks of the rivers and their main tributaries flowing in the state.
It also restrained construction in the 100 kilometer stretch of river Bhagirathi which has been declared as a eco-sensitive zone. The restrictions would not operate where renovation and reconstruction of legally constructed buildings and houses are concerned, the bench said.

Any new construction or project covered by the MoEF's notification shall follow procedure prescribed by the notification, the bench said.