A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also issued notice and sought responses of the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPA) and the pollution control boards of the three states by the next date of hearing on July 1.
The Tribunal was hearing an application filed by UP-based environmentalist Vikrant Tongad who alleged that burning of agricultural residue, like straw, in Punjab, Haryana and UP is causing air pollution not only in these states but also in the National Capital Region of Delhi.
In his plea, filed through advocates Rahul Choudhary and Parul Gupta, Tongad sought directions to concerned authorities as well as these states to take steps to stop the practice of burning of agricultural residue/biomass.
He said burning of biomass contributes significantly to global warming and also affects the health of children as well as adults by causing various respiratory diseases.
Burning of agricultural residue in the northern states pollute the air and more specifically create smog in the National Capital Region of Delhi, the application said.