Page 2 - Ngt

NGT seeks Centre's response: Star rating system for vehicles gets push

Star rating systems for vehicles based on fuel efficiency are already prevalent in many countries

Legacy waste: SC stays NGT order directing Punjab govt to pay over Rs 1K cr

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed an order of the National Green Tribunal, which had imposed over Rs 1,000 crore as environmental compensation on Punjab for failing to manage legacy waste and untreated sewage in the state. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notice to the Centre and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the appeal filed by the state government against the NGT order. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi appeared for the state government. The NGT in its July 25 order had directed Punjab through the chief secretary to deposit Rs. 10,261,908,000 towards environmental compensation with the CPCB within one month. "Repeated orders have been passed from time to time giving opportunity to State of Punjab in the hope and trust that it will take serious, substantial and urgent steps to comply with provisions of Environmental Laws and in particular Section 24 of Water Act, 1974 but we are at pain to observe t

Religion over environment? UP govt plans to cut 33k trees for Kanwar route

The National Green Tribunal has sought detailed breakdown of the tree felling from the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government

NGT seeks response from authorities on deteriorating condition of Dal Lake

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from several authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board and the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, on "deteriorating conditions" of the Dal Lake in Kashmir. The green panel was hearing a matter in which it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report that said "...the condition of the Dal Lake in Kashmir was deteriorating because of municipal sewage, pollution and urbanisation and its impact on the lives of Hanji people (those living in houseboats)". A bench of National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel said, according to the report, sewage has destroyed the fish in the lake. At one time, people used to drink the lake water but today it cannot even be used for washing faces. "The news item mentions that 70 per cent of the sewage generated in Srinagar city finds its way into the lake and the sewage treatment plants (STPs) are heavily ...

NGT seeks reasons for not enforcing GRAP in Delhi despite poor air quality

The National Green Tribunal has sought from the Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management the reasons for not implementing the Graded Response Action Plan curbs in the National Capital Region and the adjoining areas. Underlining that the Stage-I Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) curbs were not invoked despite the air quality reaching the 'poor' category from May 3 to 6, the NGT sought a fresh report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The tribunal was hearing the matter regarding air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) region. In an order passed on May 7, a bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said, "Air quality in Delhi in the last four days has dipped to poor category and it was 291 on May 5. But GRAP-I provisions have not been invoked till now." The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 264 on May 3, 281 the next day and 247 on May 6. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarw

Bandhwari landfill fire: NGT issues notice to environment ministry, others

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from authorities, including the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), regarding the blaze in the Bandhwari landfill site in Gurugram last week. A fire broke out at the site along the Gurugram-Faridabad Road, days after a massive blaze erupted at the Ghazipur waste site in east Delhi. Waste collected by the civic bodies in Gurugram and Faridabad is dumped at the site. The NGT was hearing the matter where it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a newspaper report regarding the fire. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that the report claimed the combustion of methane gas could have caused the blaze and that there was an alleged lack of precautionary measures. "The news item raises substantial issues relating to the compliance of environmental norms particularly with respect to prevention of fire and landfill gas management," said the bench comprising expert member A Senth

NGT asks Punjab to explain how it will handle 19 mn tonnes of paddy stubble

Green Tribunal seeks information from the state on stubble management in 2023 and 2024

NGT asks Punjab how it will achieve target to cut stubble burning incidents

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Punjab government to disclose in its comprehensive report how it will achieve its projected target for reducing incidents of stubble burning in the present year. The NGT was hearing the matter regarding stubble burning in Punjab which was aggravating the issue of air pollution during the winter season in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas. In January this year, the tribunal directed Punjab to file an "amended fresh action plan" to tackle the "serious issue". A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that an action taken report dated March 19 had been filed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board which included the details of paddy straw utilisation in 2023 along with the target for the present year. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel said the report disclosed the target for 2024 upon implementation of the crop residue management plan, includ

Only 20% environmental funds utilised for NCR, shows CPCB report to NGT

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has spent only 20 per cent of the environment protection charge and environmental compensation collected so far for mitigating air pollution in Delhi-NCR and protecting the environment. The CPCB receives compensation broadly under two heads - environment protection charge (EPC) and environmental compensation (EC). According to a CPCB report submitted to the National Green Tribunal on March 20, the central pollution control body has disbursed only Rs 156.33 of the total Rs 777.69 crore collected under the two heads. The dealer/manufacturer is required to pay one per cent environment protection charge on the ex-showroom price of new diesel vehicles with engine capacity of 2000cc and above, registered only in Delhi and NCR. This is called 'environment protection charge'. The EPC is received as per an order of the Supreme Court and is utilized for air quality improvement and related work in Delhi-NCR such as research and development activities

Offerings in rivers: NGT allows DPCC, UPPCB to file responses in 4 weeks

The National Green Tribunal has allowed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to file within four weeks their responses regarding throwing worship offerings in rivers Ganga and Yamuna. The tribunal was hearing a matter where it had taken suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report regarding pollution in the two rivers because of the throwing of flowers and garlands offered in puja (worship) in polythene bags in their ghats. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said that DPCCs counsel failed to point out the committee's response on the issue. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, noted that the counsel's submissions about submitting "a fresh proper response" covering the issue within four weeks. In an order passed on March 18, the bench noted that there was a similar plea of filing its response within four weeks from the UPPCBs counsel. Allowing

SC sets aside NGT's order on Shimla Development Plan; BJP hails verdict

As the Supreme Court set aside the NGT curbs on Thursday, Bhardwaj said the people of Shimla were desperately counting on the apex court to rule in favour of sustainable development of the city

2023: NGT cracks whip to spur officials to strive for cleaner air, water

As large swathes of India gasped for breath, choking on air laden with contaminants, the National Green Tribunal grappled with a wide range of environmental issues, including pollution of the Ganga and quality and quantity of groundwater and air pollution in 2023. It went to the extent of imposing huge penalties on states like Delhi and Bihar for poor liquid and solid waste management. In February, the tribunal directed the Delhi government to pay Rs 2,232 crore as environmental compensation for improper management of solid and liquid waste, while in May it imposed a staggering Rs 4,000 crore compensation on Bihar. The green panel also passed orders to check over-exploitation of natural resources. It took suo motu (on its own) cognisance of industrial and environmental disasters, and awarded compensation to the victims. A highlight of the tribunal's directions involved restoring the pristine sanctity of rivers, many of which are venerated entities like the Ganga and Yamuna. Express

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Who are rat hole miners and how do they work?

A mining technique that has been banned in India over safety concerns proved instrumental in rescuing the 41 trapped workers

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, ...

Lack of protection works in Gangotri NH: NGT issues notices to authorities

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the authorities concerned, including the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), on a petition claiming lack of some protection works on the Gangotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district of Uttrakhand. According to the petition, NHIDCL failed to take action for the construction of a landslide protection gallery, slope protection work and river protection work. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted that the petitioner's counsel had referred to a communication from an official of NHIDCL in Uttarkashi regarding the need for the construction of a landslide protection gallery and slope protection works including cattle fence at Barethi village in the district. The bench, in a recent order, further noted that the counsel referred to some communications by the district magistrate (DM) of Uttarkashi recognising the need for such works and the .

Take all possible immediate remedial measures to improve AQI: NGT to states

The National Green Tribunal has observed that the various states where the Air Quality Index deteriorated did not fully comply with its earlier direction to take "immediate remedial action". Expressing dissatisfaction over the pollution situation in these states not showing any "significant improvement", the tribunal directed the authorities concerned to review their approach, come up with adequate measures to improve the air quality and submit a further action taken report. The tribunal had earlier issued notices to the chief secretaries of several states, including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar and Jharkhand, after taking cognisance of the Central Pollution Control Board's online air quality bulletins. Some cities in these states showed the Air Quality Index (AQI) as 'severe', 'very poor' and 'poor', the tribunal had observed. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200

Kejriwal residence construction: NGT gives panel 4 weeks to file report

The National Green Tribunal has expressed disappointment over a panel not submitting its report on alleged violation of environmental norms in constructing some structures at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence. Noting that the panel which was constituted in May this year to ascertain the factual position had failed to comply with the NGT's direction, the tribunal granted it four more weeks for filing the report, and warned that the failure to do so will lead to issuance of summons to the state's chief secretary to appear before it. A joint committee comprising the chief secretary, principal secretary (Environment & Forest) of the Delhi government, a nominee of the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC), and the district magistrate of north Delhi was constituted to go into the matter pursuant to the tribunal's order dated May 9, The NGT was dealing with a petition which has alleged that permanent and semi-permanent constructions were raised and more than 20 trees

NGT forms high-level committee for demarcation of Yamuna floodplain

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a high-level committee headed by the Delhi chief secretary for the demarcation of the Yamuna floodplain, besides suggesting measures to prevent and remove encroachments and unauthorised constructions from it. The NGT was hearing a matter where it had taken suo-motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report, according to which flooding occurs in the national capital because of the unauthorised constructions in the Yamuna floodplain. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said according to the report, delineation of the river is required to prevent illegal developments in the floodplain and there are about 76 unauthorised colonies in the area concerned (where floods occurred), besides large-scale encroachment. Several areas in Delhi were inundated due to a rise in the Yamuna's water level and nearly 27,000 people from the floodplain were evacuated and sheltered at safe places in July. "The newspaper report reflects that a .

Yamuna cleaning far from satisfactory: NGT on report filed by agencies

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has observed the cleaning of Yamuna is far from satisfactory. The NGT also observed that the reports filed by agencies, including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the Delhi government and others, were deficient on various issues, including not providing the details of the drains being discharged in the river, monitoring the functioning of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) and restoration of the river's floodplains and wetlands. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that based on the tribunal's earlier directions, the Delhi government, DJB, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Haryana had filed status reports about the river. The bench, also comprising Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, said the reports were deficient on various issues, including details of the drains discharging both treated and untreated wastewater in the river and the quantity and quality of the discharged wastewater. Also, there was n

Deteriorating air quality in Delhi, violations of Grap: NGT issues notices

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices and sought action-taken reports from several authorities, including the Delhi chief secretary, Union environment ministry and MCD, in a matter regarding the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. The NGT issued the notices while hearing a matter where it had initiated suo motu (on its own) proceedings based on media reports on the deterioration in Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) and violations of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), under which stricter measures are taken to curb air pollution during winter. Noting the reports, a bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said despite action taken by the authorities, the problem of air pollution is aggravating in Delhi and the residents are facing various health problems due to it. "We deem it proper to implead the following authorities in the matter -- chief secretary, Delhi, member-secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee