Page 4 - National Green Tribunal

NGT levies Rs 4,000 cr environmental fine on Bihar for lax waste management

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a Rs 4,000 crore environmental compensation on Bihar for failing to scientifically manage solid and liquid waste, in accordance with the polluter pays principle. A bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel directed that the amount be deposited in a ring-fenced account within two months. The account will be operated only under the chief secretary's directions for waste management in the state. The bench, also comprising Justices Sudhir Agarwal and Arun Kumar Tyagi, besides expert members Afroz Ahmad and A Senthil Vel, said, "We levy compensation of Rs 4,000 crore on the state on the polluter pays principle for its failure in scientifically managing the liquid and solid waste in violation of the mandate of law, particularly judgments of the Supreme Court and this tribunal." The amount will be used for setting up solid waste processing facilities, remediation of legacy waste and setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs), and faecal sludge and ...

NGT slaps Rs 10 cr fine on Northern Coalfields over storing of coal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) to pay a compensation of Rs 10 crore for violation of environmental rules by unscientific storing of around 1.5 lakh tonnes of coal in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The NGT was hearing a petition claiming the violation of environmental norms by unlawful dumping of coal in 35 bighas area belonging to the NCL, which was in the vicinity of a residential area. Noting a report of an earlier constituted panel along with a letter by the state pollution control board (PCB), a bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel said the dumping of coal was to the detriment of the environment and public health and the NCL had failed to take necessary measures to prevent air pollution. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel said the Rs 4.43 crore compensation determined by the state PCB was inadequate. ...the PCB has levied compensation on in-house formula which

Ludhiana gas leak case: NGT directs DM to give Rs 20 lakh to victims

Observing that the State is under the obligation to ensure compliance of environmental norms for the safety of citizens, the National Green Tribunal on Tuesday directed the Ludhiana district magistrate to give Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the 11 people who died allegedly after inhaling toxic gas in the Punjab city. The deceased included three children and they died after allegedly inhaling toxic gas in the city's thickly populated Giaspura locality on Sunday, with high levels of hydrogen sulphide detected in the air and authorities suspecting that it emanated from a sewer. Following the incident, the Ludhiana administration has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation each for the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those who were taken ill in the incident. Initiating suo motu action based on media reports, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel constituted an eight-member fact-finding joint committee, which will be headed by the Punjab State Pollution Control ...

MCD lacks comprehensive data on dairy farms, cowsheds, says NGT panel

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi "lacks comprehensive data" on dairy farms and 'gaushalas' in areas under its jurisdiction, an NGT panel said asking the civic authorities to carry out a complete inventory of the dairy farms by June 30. The solid-waste monitoring committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which recently held a review meeting, asked the MCD to submit an action plan, including zone-wise details of dairy waste generated in their areas by July 31. In February, the NGT constituted the committee with Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena as its head. The panel submitted its report on Monday. In its report, the panel said that the NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) informed that there is no dairy functioning in their jurisdictional area. MCD officials did not respond to the questionnaire sent to them by PTI in this regard. According to the "Guidelines for Environmental Management of Dairy Farms and Gaushalas" by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), July 2020, loc

Reserve one-third reclaimed land for dense forest in Delhi, recommends NGT

One-third of reclaimed land from dump sites in Delhi should be reserved for dense forest and an equal area must be earmarked for integrated waste management facilities, an NGT panel has recommended. The solid-waste monitoring committee of the National Green Tribunal, which recently held a review meeting, asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi Development Authority and the forest department to submit a detailed action plan within a month about proper utilisation of the reclaimed land. In February, the NGT constituted the committee with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena as its head. The panel submitted its report on Monday. The panel has also asked for a web portal to be developed by June 30 to show the daily generation of waste, collection, recycling, processing and disposal at the dump sites. "The online feed shall also be made available to the Urban Development Department of GNCTD, DPCC and CPCB," the panel recommended. It was also decided that MCD, NDMC and DCB should c

Restrictions on number of vehicles on Manali-Rohtang pass to continue

Restrictions on the number of vehicles from Manali to Rohtang pass in Himachal Pradesh will continue, as the National Green Tribunal has refused to modify its 2015 order limiting them to 1,000 per day. The apex environment watchdog said the adverse impact of vehicular pollution on glacier, climate change and environment does not allow any let up. "Data of air quality merely because of restricted number of vehicles situation is better cannot be ground to presume that increased number of vehicles will be sustainable. The opening of Atal Tunnel or availability of parking space does not change the situation which led to passing of earlier orders by this Tribunal. "Opinion of some expert relied upon can not be treated as conclusive to revisit the orders passed on consideration of entirety of material based on reports of experts and on due consideration, after contest between the parties," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson justice AK Goel said. The NGT's order came on a plea seeking ...

NGT seeks factual report over disappearance of 1095 ponds in Kanpur

The Tribunal also said that the committe to meet within two weeks and furnish its facts and actions are taken to report on the matter within two months

NGT asks Environment ministry to report on illegal trees felling in Corbett

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to file an action-taken report on the alleged illegal felling of 6,000 trees in the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttrakhand's Kalagarh Tiger Reserve Division. The green panel was hearing a matter in which it had initiated suo motu (on its own) proceedings based on a media report on the illegal felling of trees. The Forest Survey of India was asked to assess the status of illegally felled trees, the report had claimed. A bench of Chairperson Justice A K Goel said that according to the report of an earlier constituted panel, the cutting of trees was illegal and the process of restoration required constructions made without the approval of the Centre to be removed. But the state government's principal secretary submitted that the construction does not require the Union government's approval. The bench, also comprising Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel,

NGT directs Rajasthan to pay Rs 100 cr interim compensation for pollution

The National Green Tribunal has directed Rajasthan to pay an interim compensation of Rs 100 crore for damage to the environment, including pollution of the Dravyavati river, caused allegedly by textile printing industries in the Jaipur district. The NGT also formed a 10-member joint committee to plan and oversee remedial action and said the compensation amount has to be utilised for restoration of the environment. The NGT was hearing two petitions claiming violation of environmental norms by the industries which adversely impacted the water quality of the river. A bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel noted a report by a panel constituted earlier and said it presented a dismal picture of the area. The industrial siting was faulty, most industries were located in the non-conforming areas and industrial effluents were being discharged into the Dravyavati River and Chandalai and Nevta dams. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert members A Senthil

NGT asks panel to take remedial action in illegal groundwater extraction

The National Green Tribunal has directed a panel to take remedial measures over alleged illegal extraction of groundwater by 536 hotels in the bustling Paharganj locality in the national capital. While hearing a petition seeking execution of the tribunal's earlier order passed in April 2021, the NGT also directed the panel to look into the legality of groundwater extraction by the hotels and similar establishments, besides their compliance with norms, including consent conditions for extraction, and groundwater availability and replenishment measures. The petition had sought an injunction against "illegal" withdrawal of groundwater by 536 hotels operating in Paharganj. A bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel said though any application which clubbed multiple causes of action was not permissible under the rules, the tribunal could exercise suo motu (on its own) jurisdiction if there are serious violations of environmental norms. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sud

L&T, Afcons, JSW eye Great Nicobar project despite environmental hurdles

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) stayed the Rs 72,000 crore Great Nicobar Development Plan, which includes the project for building a trans-shipment hub

NGT refrains from levying compensation on Ladakh for improper management

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has refrained from levying environmental compensation on the Union Territory of Ladakh for improper management of solid and liquid waste, after noting the area's ground situation and the statement of the UT's chief secretary that adequate funds will be made available for handling the waste. The NGT is monitoring compliance with Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other environmental issues by states and Union territories. A bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel said it was the Union territory's constitutional responsibility and absolute liability to provide a pollution-free environment, which was a part of the right to life, besides a basic human right, and that the UT had to arrange necessary funds from contributors or others. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel said lack of funds or absence of other resources such as sites for waste management cannot be a plea to deny such

NGT orders review of green nod for Great Nicobar Port amid public uproar

Panel to study 'unanswered deficiencies', stays further development for 2 months

NGT panel to revisit clearance granted for Great Nicobar Island project

The National Green Tribunal has constituted a high-powered committee to re-examine the environmental clearance granted to Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIDCO) for the multi-component mega project in the Great Nicobar Island. Along with the development of an international container transhipment terminal, the project also involves the development of a military-civil, dual-use airport, a gas, diesel, and solar-based power plant, and a township. The NGT was hearing appeals against forest clearance and environmental clearance provided to the project proponent (PP) ANIDCO. Earlier on January 11, it had sought a response from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the PP. A bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel along with judicial members Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi said there was a need for adequate studies on the adverse impact on coral reefs, mangroves, turtle ...

Joint Committee to ensure efficient water usage in metro construction: NGT

The committee was given instructions to convene within a week, interact with relevant stakeholders and authorities, and develop and implement an action plan based on the situation's actual facts

Serious failure of Jharkhand to prevent environmental lawlessness, says NGT

There is a serious failure of Jharkhand in preventing the continued "environmental lawlessness", the National Green Tribunal observed while hearing petitions regarding alleged violations of environmental norms by quarrying and crushing units in the Rajmahal hills. The green panel also directed the chief secretary to personally monitor compliance as there was "much to be desired in remedial action against gross continuing violations in spite of categorical orders". The tribunal was hearing petitions that claimed that stone-crushing and mining companies in the Rajmahal hills of Sahebganj district were indulging in indiscriminate mining without regard for environmental norms. The hills are blown up, huge dust is generated and air and water pollution is caused -- to the detriment of the environment and public health -- during the process, the petitions alleged. A bench of Chairperson Justice AK Goel said despite several orders -- including prohibiting illegal mining and non-compliant .

NGT forms panel to verify claim of air pollution around AIIMS Delhi

The National Green Tribunal has formed a panel to verify the allegations of severe air pollution in and around the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here. The NGT was hearing a plea which claimed that air pollution was jeopardising the health of the indoor as well as OPD patients, doctors and other staffers of AIIMS-Delhi. The petition claimed statutory and administrative authorities failed to control air pollution around AIIMS. "We are satisfied that the matter needs consideration and facts need to be verified by an independent expert committee... Accordingly, we constitute a seven-member joint committee to be headed by the member secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), deputy commissioner of police (Traffic), area divisional or district forest officer (DFO) and the municipal corporation of Delhi (MCD)," a bench comprising NGT chairperson Justice A K Goel said. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Ve

NGT seeks report over plea alleging Varanasi Project violating norms

The National Green Tribunal has sought a factual report from a panel over allegations that the Tent City project in Varanasi was flouting environmental norms. The NGT was hearing a petition alleging the project on a 100-acre area on the riverbed of the Ganga, was detrimental to the flora and fauna and also resulted in untreated sewage going directly into the river. The Tent City, developed on the banks of the Ganga opposite the famed ghats of the holy city, aims to tap the tourism potential of the region and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January. A bench comprising chairperson Justice A K Goel said the allegations, if true, depicted serious violations of environmental norms. But before passing any order, it was necessary to seek a factual report from a seven-member joint committee of the national mission for clean Ganga (NMCG), Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Chief Wild Life Warden and Irrigation

Will challenge NGT order: Kochi Mayor on Rs 100 cr compensation imposed

Kochi Mayor A Anil Kumar on Saturday said that the Civic body will challenge the National Green Tribunal order which awarded Rs 100 crores in environmental compensation against Kochi Municipal Corporation for alleged continuing neglect of its duties resulting in a fire at a waste dump site in Kochi."Kochi Corporation will challenge the NGT order. An appeal will be filed in consultation with legal experts. We will look at all possible legal avenues," said Kochi Mayor M Anil Kumar.Calling for a vigilance inquiry & 3-pronged inquiry into the Brahmapuram fire incident, Kumar said, "The wrongdoers, if any, will naturally be found out. The entire cost of extinguishing the fire at Brahmapuram was borne by Corporation. The amount will be told in the coming days".The Tribunal stated that, according to a media report, Kochi city was choked on account of a fire at the waste dump site on March 2, 2023, which led to a crisis situation. A warning was issued to the residents to stay indoors ...

NGT asks Kochi Municipal Corporation to pay Rs 100 cr damage compensation

NGT has directed the Kochi Municipal Corporation to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 100 crore for the damage to the environment because of its failure to handle solid waste.