National Green Tribunal

Maha Kumbh water fit for bathing: CPCB report cites 'variability in data'

A new report by the Central Pollution Control Board submitted to the National Green Tribunal has said that as per statistical analysis, the water quality during the recently-concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj was fit for bathing. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report said the statistical analysis was necessitated because of "variability of data" in the samples collected from the same locations across different dates and on different locations on the same day, because of which these did not reflect the "overall river water quality throughout the river stretch". The report dated February 28 and uploaded on the tribunal's website on March 7 said the board had conducted water monitoring twice a week from January 12 onwards, including on auspicious bathing days, at five locations on Ganga river and two locations on Yamuna river. "There is a significant variability in the values on various parameters, viz pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and fecal ...

NGT reserves order on Kumbh 2025 sanitation plea, petitioner seeks Rs 10 cr

A tribunal bench, led by NGT chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastava, has directed the Uttar Pradesh government and other authorities to take immediate action to fix the issue.

Complete desilting of 24 drains by May 31: NGT to Delhi govt department

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FCD) of the Delhi government to submit an undertaking that the desilting works of 24 drains in the national capital will be completed by May 31 to prevent flooding during the monsoon. The green body was hearing the issue of desilting of the 24 drains, which fall in the Yamuna. In an order dated February 21, the bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that the I&FCD had submitted a report dated February 20 about the status of desilting the drains along with details regarding the timeline for completion of the work. According to the report, the timeline for completing the desilting work across all drains is May 31. Most of the work has been completed by February 14 in Moat Drain of Vijay Ghat (84.92 per cent), followed by Civil-Military Drain (78.51 per cent), Maharani Bagh Drain (50.24 per cent), Abul Fazal Drain (49.21 per cent), Kushak Drain (48.93 per cent), ...

NGT slams UPPCB for submitting old water sample amid Maha Kumbh mela

Toxic waters: The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board had defended the water quality and said that the Ganga and Yamuna rivers met the required standards for bathing, except at one bridge

Illegal trees cutting in Greater Noida not taken seriously by UP govt: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has observed that the illegal felling of 980 trees in Greater Noida was not taken seriously by the Uttar Pradesh authorities, and asked the principal chief conservator of forest to appear virtually before it on May 13 to apprise it on the action taken. The green body was hearing a plea alleging unauthorised felling of a large number of trees in Greater Noida's DCM (Daewoo Motors) company premises which had been shut for the last 22 years. Observing that a significant number of trees have been cut, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said that after an inspection by the forest officers, 980 trees were found to be cut and that action had only been taken against two vehicles transporting timber from the illegally cut trees. "Such timber could, at most, be from eight to 10 illegally cut trees. There is no record indicating what action has been taken by the forest department to trace the timber cut from the more than 900 other trees, nor to

NGT issues notice to Centre on use of invasive fish for mosquito control

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Centre on two highly-invasive and alien fish species being used as biological agents for controlling mosquitoes. The tribunal was hearing a plea about two fish species -- Gambusia Affinis (Mosquitofish) and Poecilia Reticulata (Guppy) -- being released in water bodies to control mosquitoes in various states. The states which stored and released Mosquitofish were Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, while Guppy species had been released in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and Odisha, the plea said. It said the National Biodiversity Authority declared these two fish species as "invasive and alien" as they adversely impacted the local aquatic ecosystems by causing food scarcity for the indigenous fish species. It also referred to the ban imposed on Mosquitofish by countries such as Australia and New Zealand. The plea referred to a rep

Groundwater extraction in Delhi reduced from 127% to 99% in 2023: CGWA

The Central Ground Water Authority has informed the National Green Tribunal that groundwater extraction in the national capital has reduced from 127 per cent in 2013 to 99 per cent in 2023. Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had taken suo motu cognisance of a PTI report regarding a UN study predicting that several parts of the country could experience critically low groundwater availability by 2025. It had also sought a response from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). In its action-taken report dated January 1, the CGWA said that along with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), it took several steps to increase groundwater levels, such as promoting artificial recharge, rainwater harvesting, sustainable agricultural practices, and community participation. "On reviewing the comparison of state-wise resource assessment reports from 2013 to 2023, it is evident that in most of the states/Union Territories (UTs), the percentage of groundwater extraction has significant

NGT petition seeks MP govt's word on safe disposal of Union Carbide waste

A petition has been filed in the National Green Tribunal's Bhopal bench seeking an assurance from the Madhya Pradesh government that the disposal of Union Carbide waste won't harm people in nearby areas. The petition has urged the green court to direct the state's chief secretary to declare on oath about the safety of people in Pithampur in Dhar district where the Carbide waste has been transported for disposal. The petition, filed by a Jabalpur-based social organisation, also seeks direction to the authorities in Dhar to submit on oath that the residents in the area won't be harmed due to the disposal of the Carbide waste. On Thursday, 337 tonnes of Union Carbide waste reached Pithampur from Bhopal for disposal following the MP High Court order. Furthermore, the petition seeks direction to MP government to publish in Hindi and English newspapers a particular report regarding the disposal of this waste to allay public concerns, said PG Najpandey of Nagrik Upbhokta Margdarshak Manch

DPCC collected over Rs 112 crore in compensation till Nov: Report in NGT

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee collected over Rs 112 crore in environmental compensation between April, 2015 and November 20, 2024, the NGT was recently told. According to the Central Pollution Control Board the environmental compensation (EC) was a policy instrument for the protection of the environment and worked on the "polluter pays" principle. In other words, fine was levied on violators of environmental laws and used for restoration. The green body had sought details on the EC imposed and its utilisation from the DPCC. In a report dated December 26, the committee said, DPCC has received Rs 11,208.15 lakh (Rs 112.08 crore) as EC fund from April 2015 till November 20 (2024), and Rs 3,605.66 lakh (Rs 36.05 crore) has been utilised so far. Giving a break-up of the utilisation, the report said the highest amount, about Rs 10.11 crore, was spent on information, education and communication activities, followed by an expenditure of Rs 8.77 crore on strengthening monitoring ..

NGT issues notice to Centre over ozone levels exceeding limits in Delhi

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Centre on the "feasibility and mechanism" for implementation of the CPCB's recommendations for controlling ozone levels, which were found beyond the permissible limits in some areas of the national capital. The green body earlier directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other agencies to submit relevant material explaining why ozone levels in these areas exceeded permissible limits. It had also sought "targeted approaches" that could be adopted for these areas. In an order dated December 23, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted that the CPCB had submitted a report dated December 20 about the measures for control of ozone levels along with some suggestions or recommendations. The CPCB report said, "It has been recognised globally that control of ozone is only possible through control of its precursors. It is also evident that control of local sources of it

Illegal mining: NGT asks applicant to approach DPCC, mining dept first

The National Green Tribunal has asked a petitioner to approach the Delhi Pollution Control Committee or the mining department regarding allegations of illegal instream and riverbed sand mining from the Yamuna in north Delhi. The tribunal gave the order to enable the committee or department to ascertain the extent of the illegal activity. The green body was hearing a petition by the Jagatpur village chief, or 'pradhan', who alleged that the sand mafia was illegally extracting huge quantities of the sand in the area. The petition also alleged that a bund (check dam) created near Jagatpur and Burari villages in Delhi had developed cracks because of unauthorised activities. In an order dated December 24, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said that the complaint first required to be looked into by the DPCC or the mining department to find the "reality and extent" of the illegal mining. "Hence, we dispose of the original application (

NGT calls for safe disposal system of used solar panels, asks govt's reply

The matter was raised through a letter petition highlighting the environmental risks posed by discarded panels and the need for an organized system for their proper handling and management

Bengal, Bihar most impacted by arsenic contamination: Centre to NGT

West Bengal and Bihar are impacted the most by arsenic contamination of groundwater, the Centre has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The tribunal is hearing the issue of rice being susceptible to arsenic contamination because it absorbs more of the toxic semi-metallic element from water and soil. Earlier, it sought a reply from the Centre on it. In an order dated December 16, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted that the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare had filed its reply after seeking inputs from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). "States of West Bengal and Bihar are reported to be most affected by arsenic contamination of groundwater irrigation by contaminated groundwater is the major route for arsenic entry into agricultural soil which ultimately leads to its entry into the food chain," the Centre said in its reply. There can be a "significant build-up" of the toxic element in r

India's compensatory afforestation efforts need reset, accountability

Poor implementation and data gaps hinder India's push for ecological balance

SC overturns NGT's 'ruthless' order to remove leprosy patients' centre

Calling it a "ruthless order", the Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside an NGT verdict directing the removal of a centre for leprosy patients running since 1960 in Pune. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan set aside the NGT order directing authorities to remove it for allegedly encroaching the forest land. "There is something called humanity; something called compassion and empathy. They (leprosy patients) are part of the society. We are giving lectures in five-star hotels on inclusivity and other things, and here a ruthless order is passed, without even hearing the society. All kinds of things are happening in the name of forests and environment in this country," the bench said. The top court said the green tribunal should have at least heard the society, running for decades, before passing such "sweeping directions" for removal of alleged encroachments from forest land. The top court said that the western zone bench of the NGT regardless of the categorical stand taken b

Illegal tree felling in Delhi: NGT issues notice to environment ministry

The National Green Tribunal has issued notice to the Centre regarding the alleged felling of scores of trees in the national capital. The green body was hearing about the alleged illegal felling of thousands of trees at Chajju Ram Bagh in Jindpur by a private builder to construct a warehouse and commercial godown. In an order dated December 9, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that the district magistrate of north Delhi did not file his reply, as per the tribunal's earlier order to produce the relevant khasra entries and revenue record of Chajju Ram Bagh of last 20 years to ascertain the correct position. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel noted that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) filed a compliance report enclosing an order where the forest officials concerned had imposed a compounding fee of Rs nine lakh for illegal felling of 15 trees. "It cannot be ascertained under what ...

SPG moves SC to extend registration period for three armoured vehicles

The Special Protection Group on Friday moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the National Green Tribunal which refused to allow extension of registration period of three specialised armoured vehicles by five years. The matter came before a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, which took objection that the elite force approached the NGT for registration of its vehicle instead of moving the top court in the MC Mehta matter. The top court has been monitoring the air pollution crisis in Delhi in an ongoing Public Interest Litigation in the M C Mehta case. Appearing for the SPG, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, urged the bench to consider the matter on an urgent basis and sought extension of registration period citing importance of the vehicles. Tushar Mehta said these vehicles are essential and integral part of Special Protection Group technical logistics. The bench converted the matter in an interlocutory application and posted the matter for hearing on

NGT urges coordinated plan between DDA, DJB to resolve pollution issues

Expressing exasperation at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) not agreeing on a coordinated action plan, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has observed that the State or its instrumentality cannot suffer a violation of the right to clean environment on any pretext. The green body was hearing a matter regarding health hazards to residents because of a stagnant open drain in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj. In an order passed on December 9, a bench of judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Afroz Ahmad, taking note of the earlier proceedings, said, "The efforts made by this tribunal for coordinated resolution of the environmental issues did not succeed and the environmental issues were not resolved." The tribunal noted that on November 22, it had observed that the "DDA and DJB are not very serious about the protection of the environment and more interested in their financial matters, leaving people to suffer on account of continuous water ...

NGT seeks reply from environment ministry over illegal dumping in Siliguri

The National Green Tribunal has sought replies from the Union environment ministry's offices in West Bengal and Sikkim on the alleged illegal dumping of medical and hazardous waste in a vacant plot in West Bengal's Siliguri. The green body was hearing a matter where it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a newspaper report regarding the unauthorised dumping in the Farabari area of the town, allegedly from the neighbouring state of Sikkim. "The article highlights that the situation became more complicated when it was revealed that the owner of the vacant plot had made private arrangements with truck drivers for waste disposal without obtaining necessary clearances from the local panchayat or other relevant authorities," a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said in an order dated November 27. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member A Senthil Vel, said that the "irresponsible dumping" was inconveniencing the ...

NGT issues notice to environment ministry over Hyderabad pharma unit blast

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Hyderabad regional office of the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change and others on the blast at a pharmaceutical company in Hyderabad last month that left one dead and three others injured. The green body was hearing a matter where it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a PTI report published on November 21 titled 'One dead, three injured in reactor blast at pharma company in Hyderabad.' In an order dated November 28, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said, "The news item relates to a flash fire triggered by a reactor blast at a pharmaceutical company in Hyderabad, resulting in the death of one man and injuries caused to three others. As per the article, the incident occurred while the four workers were repairing the reactor." The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel said the news item did not indicate whether steps h