Page 4 - National Green Tribunal

Bihar govt to begin study to analyse air pollution in Gaya, Muzaffarpur

The Bihar government has decided to conduct a real-time apportionment study in Muzaffarpur and Gaya to identify sources of air pollution in these two cities of the state, an official said on Monday. The decision was taken as Muzaffarpur, Gaya and the state capital Patna are among the 122 non-attainment cities in terms of air pollution trends. The study in Muzaffarpur and Gaya will be conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi and Patna). The Bihar State Pollution Control Board will soon sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in this regard, which are being finalised," BSPCB Chairman Devendra Kumar Shukla told PTI. The study will identify the "seasonal mass concentration level of PM2.5 and PM10 in ambient air" of the extended urban areas of both cities, he said. PM 2.5 and PM 10 are minute particles present in the air, and exposure to these is harmful to health. Real-time source apportionment studies help identify factors, such as vehicles, dust, biomass burning, and ..

Arsenic and fluoride in groundwater: NGT issues notices to 24 states, 4 UTs

The National Green Tribunal has issued notices to 24 states and four Union Territories in a matter regarding the presence of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater. The green panel observed that the presence of these metals or chemicals are "very serious" and requires "urgent preventive and protective steps". The panel was hearing a matter in which it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report that highlighted the presence of arsenic and fluoride beyond permissible limits in groundwater in some pockets of various states and Union Territories. The report stated that arsenic was detected in groundwater in parts of 230 districts across 25 states while fluoride was found in some pockets of 469 districts in 27 states, the tribunal noted in a recent order. A bench of Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel said the Central Ground Water Authority had submitted a report in which it admitted the presence of arsenic and fluoride in the districts

States fined Rs 79 cr over non-compliance of solid waste mgmt rules: Govt

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed fines totalling Rs 79,098 crore on states and Union territories for non-compliance with municipal solid waste management rules and other environmental violations in 2022-23, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. According to the data provided by Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Tamil Nadu faces the highest fine of Rs 15,419 crore, followed by Maharashtra (Rs 12,000 crore) and Madhya Pradesh (Rs 9,688 crore). The NGT directed Uttar Pradesh to pay Rs 5,000 crore, Bihar Rs 4,000 crore, Telangana Rs 3,800 crore, West Bengal Rs 3,500 crore, Karnataka Rs 3,400 crore and Delhi Rs 3,132 crore for not complying with the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental violations. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors the water quality of aquatic resources at 4,703 locations in 28 states and eight Union territories under th

Air Pollution: Several states haven't utilised sanctioned funds, says NGT

This comes after NGT going through the reports filed by various states on the implementation of comprehensive mitigation measures for the prevention, control, and reduction of air pollution

NGT issues notice to environment min, NTPC over water scarcity in Prayagraj

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, NTPC and others on a petition alleging scarcity of water in the Yamuna and the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. The green panel was hearing a petition that claimed the water scarcity in the rivers could result in a situation where organising the Kumbh Mela and the Magh Mela in Prayagraj would become difficult in the next two decades. According to the petition, the scarcity has been caused by the withdrawal of water by several entities, including the Kishanpur canal and two thermal plants. In an order passed on Monday, a bench of National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said the petition raised "a substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental laws". The bench, also comprising Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, said it is impleading as respondents several authorities in the matter. These ar

States, UTs asked to report on staff strength in pollution control bodies

The National Green Tribunal has directed all states and Union territories to file reports regarding the actual staff strength in state pollution control boards and pollution control committees. The tribunal also sought a report regarding the infrastructure in their environmental laboratories. The NGT was hearing a matter where it had taken suo motu ( on its own) cognisance of a media report claiming that the pollution control boards (PCBs) across the country did not have the resources to perform their functions. The report cited several reasons, including inadequate sanctioned strength of personnel, a high number of vacancies especially in technical positions and the absence of proper training. In a recent order, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said, "The news item raises a substantial issue affecting the compliance of environmental laws." The bench said according to a Central Pollution Control Board report, the news report ab

NGT bars mineral extraction at Bisalpur Dam without green clearance

The National Green Tribunal has prohibited Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project Corporation Limited (ERCPCL) from proceeding with desilting, dredging, mineral extraction and disposal at the Bisalpur Dam in Tonk district without obtaining environmental clearance. In an order on Friday, the central zonal bench of the tribunal in Bhopal also directed the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board to take necessary preventive, prohibitory, punitive and remedial measures in case of violations of environmental laws. The order by a bench of judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member Afroz Ahmad came on a petition file by Jodhpur-resident Dinesh Bothra challenging the tender for the contract of sand mining at the Bisalpur Dam for a period of 20 years. RCPCL, representing the Department of Mines, had issued online bids for the reclamation of storage capacity of the Bisalpur Dam by desilting. In its order, the tribunal has barred all activities under the project involving dredging, ...

Illegal bauxite mining in Jharkhand: NGT forms panel, seeks report

The National Green Tribunal has formed a panel and asked it to submit a factual and action-taken report on the alleged illegal mining of bauxite in Jharkhand's Lohardaga. The NGT was hearing a petition which was registered following a media report on illegal bauxite mining in Lohardaga. Lohardaga is also known as the 'Bauxite Town' of the country. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava referred to the news report on large-scale, rampant illegal mining of bauxite, which was clandestinely transported in trucks having forged number plates. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, in a recent order, said, The news item reveals that a substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental laws is involved. We deem it proper to form a joint committee comprising of the representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), ..

MCD slaps Rs 5 lakh penalty on Godrej Properties' arm for violating norms

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on a subsidiary of Godrej Properties for not taking environment safety precautions in construction works at its project site here. In a regulatory filing on Saturday, Godrej Properties informed that its subsidiary Godrej Vestamark LLP on October 16 received an order in this regard under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act 1957. The violation made by the subsidiary is "non-adherence to the directions contained in the order of NGT dated April 10, 2015 as well as the Ministry of Environment and Forests Guidelines, 2010 in relation to precautions required to be taken while carrying on construction at its project in New Delhi", the filing said. Godrej Properties is one of the leading real estate firms in the country. It has a major presence in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Delhi-NCR, Pune and Bengaluru.

NGT issues notice to Punjab CS, CPCB on pollution caused by stubble burning

Voicing concern over burning of crop residue that causes air pollution in the national capital, the National Green Tribunal has issued notices to the Punjab chief secretary and member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The NGT was hearing a petition it had initiated on its own (suo motu) following a media report highlighting a rise in farm fire incidents in Punjab. The report said stubble burning in the state around autumn was among the biggest contributors to pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted a report by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) which detailed the comparative data of three years on stubble burning incidents along with the names of hotspot districts known for farm fire incidents. Effective implementation of various measures is the key for controlling stubble burning in the state, the bench said on Friday. It said the state authorities, ..

Illegal dyeing units in Delhi: NGT seeks report within 5 weeks from DPCC

The National Green Tribunal has sought a "fresh report" within five weeks from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee regarding the illegal operation of several dyeing units in the national capital. The tribunal was hearing a petition, which alleged that dyeing units in Bindapur, Matiala, Ranhola, Khyala, Meethapur, Badarpur, Mukundpur and Kirar are violating provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the report of an earlier panel and said most of the dyeing units were not inspected on the plea that they were found to be locked. The bench noted the Delhi Pollution Control Committee counsel's submission that inspection teams visited 50 of the total 70 dyeing units. However, as several of these factories were found to be locked, these required re-inspection. The tribunal, in an order passed on October 4, noted that the committee's counsel had sought f

NGT seeks report on Ganga pollution from 10 districts in West Bengal

The National Green Tribunal has sought reports from the district magistrates of 10 West Bengal districts, across which the Ganga and its tributaries flow, on pollution caused due to discharge of sewage and industrial effluents. The NGT has also sought information about the remedial action taken by the authorities. The green tribunal was hearing a matter related to prevention and control of pollution of the Ganga in West Bengal, where its is also known as Bhagirathi or Hooghly. "Let notice be issued to the District Ganga Protection Committees concerned in West Bengal through their Ex-Officio Chairman (District Magistrates) for submitting a report," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said in a recent order. The bench, also comprising judicial members Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member A Senthil Vel, identified the discharge of untreated sewage, industrial effluents, hazardous waste and biomedical waste into the river, ...

NGT seeks action-taken report on noise pollution by banquet halls in Delhi

The National Green Tribunal has sought action-taken reports from the authorities concerned, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Delhi Police, on sound pollution by some banquet halls in Karol Bagh. The tribunal had in March directed the authorities to verify the facts and take remedial action. A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said an action-taken report was submitted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) senior environmental engineer following the tribunal's order. The report revealed that the tribunal's directions were not complied with in "true letter and spirit and only paper compliances have been done", it said. The bench, also comprising Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, said the report was not substantiated by data on noise levels and notices issued to the banquet halls. "Hence, we call for action-taken reports from the member secretary, DPCC, subdivisional magistrate (SDM), Karol Bagh, a

Narmada pollution: NGT directs Dindori collector to appear before it

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Dhindori district collector, Narmada Valley Development Authority vice chairman and other authorities concerned, to appear before it in a matter regarding pollution of the river Narmada. A bench of judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member Afroz Ahmad in a recent order said, It is not disputed that continuously untreated municipal sewage is being discharged in river Narmada causing pollution. The violators have also committed an offence under provision of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, it said. The bench said, Before taking any strict action in the matter, including prosecution against the responsible officers, we find it appropriate to give an opportunity to all parties concerned. Therefore, we direct Vice Chairman, Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA), Bhopal; Chief Municipal Officer, Dindori; and Collector Dindori to appear before this tribunal on October 4, it said. The tribunal was hearin

Calcutta HC Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava becomes NGT chairperson

Justice Prakash Shrivastava, former Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday took charge as chairperson of the National Green Tribunal. He was appointed by the Union government's Cabinet Appointments Committee on August 14, tribunal sources said. Justice Shrivastava read his oath during a function in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) offices on Copernicus Marg. This was followed by a welcome address by Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, the outgoing acting chairperson. In his address, Justice Shrivastava underlined that the right to a healthy environment has been construed to be a part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. "The powers that have been conferred upon the tribunal are very wide. The greater the power, the greater the responsibility to ensure that the powers are being used and utilised for achieving the object and purpose of the National Green Tribunal Act," he said. The chairperson said environmental issues primarily arose because of the conflict

MoEFCC asked to ensure framework on industrial residue is implemented

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to "clarify and take immediate measures" to identify material generated from industrial processes or production residue as either waste or as a by-product. The tribunal was hearing a matter regarding the non-implementation of the 'Framework on Identification of Materials Generated from Industrial Processes as Wastes or By-Products' issued by the Central Pollution Control Board. The framework was issued in September 2019 after an NGT order. Its purpose was to ensure that no hazardous waste was categorised as a by-product of production and escape the strict scrutiny of the Hazardous and Other Waste Management (HOWM) Rules, 2016. According to the plea, the framework did not establish when a material generated from any production process should be considered a "by-product" and when it should be considered "waste." Thus, the purpose for issuing it stood defeated, it said. In a

NGT to probe allegations of illegal mining by Brij Bhushan in UP's Gonda

The bench said that "in view of the averments made in the application, we consider it appropriate that a Joint Committee be constituted to verify the factual position and take appropriate action

Solid waste management in Haryana's Hisar, panel to submit report to NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a panel and asked it to submit an action-taken report regarding solid waste management in Haryana's Hisar district. The NGT took the step after hearing a petition that claimed that the Municipal Corporation of Hisar had violated rules. It alleged that the corporation collects household waste without segregation and its garbage disposal vehicles do not reach all households, because of which people are forced to dump garbage in the open. A bench of Acting Chairperson Justice Sheo Kumar Singh noted that according to the data before the tribunal, there was 1.3 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste in Hisar, which was because of a gap between waste generation and processing. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, said before proceeding further, it deemed fit to call a report on the matter from a joint committee consisting of the Hisar collector and a representative of the Haryana

Modi govt has spared no effort in weakening NGT, alleges Jairam Ramesh

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday alleged that the Narendra Modi government has "emasculated" the National Green Tribunal to such an extent that it will be a "crucial test" to see whether a retired Supreme Court judge will agree to be its chairperson. The former environment minister said the NGT was set up in October 2010 by an Act of Parliament, making India one of the very few countries to have such a specialised institution to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development. "Since 2014 the Modi Govt has spared no effort to weaken the NGT and dilute its effectiveness," Ramesh alleged. "Now it faces a crucial test. With the retirement of its Chairperson this Thursday, who was as per law a retired judge of the Supreme Court, serious doubts have arisen as to whether such a jurist who has served on the apex court will agree to be the Chairperson given the way it has been emasculated," the Congress general secretary said. "We can only hope that the original spirit of

Plastic pollution a global environmental crisis, says NGT Chairperson

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Justice A K Goel, the chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, said plastic pollution has become a global environmental crisis that threatens our planet. He said reliance on single-use plastic has resulted in immense harm to our oceans, land, and health, and to address this challenge collective efforts and individual responsibility are crucial. "We must raise awareness, reduce consumption of single-use plastic, promote recycling and responsible waste management, support innovation for sustainable alternatives, and implement strong policies and regulations," Justice Goel said. He said the NGT has played a significant role in enforcing plastic waste management rules, raising awareness, and emphasising extended producer responsibility. "However, more work is needed, and as individuals and communities, we must lead by example to create a positive change in society and protect our environment for future generations," he said. A tree plantati