SC on Ulhas, Waldhuni
The Supreme Court (SC) on February 5 directed the principal secretary of Maharashtra’s environment department to monitor the progress of cleaning up of rivers Ulhas and Waldhuni by the municipal corporations of Ulhasnagar, Kalyan Dombivli, Ambarnath and Kulgaon Badlapur.
It directed that deadlines be stuck to for setting up sewage treatment plants, extending disposal lines, upgrading sewage lines and cleaning up of drains like Ambikangar and Hendrepada.
Safeguard Yamuna: NGT
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 5 asked a ‘Principal Committee’ formed earlier to ensure environmental safeguards for the Yamuna and its flood plains while the Delhi Metro Rail Corp constructs a bridge during its fourth-phase projects. It was asked to assess the cumulative impact besides individually evaluating such projects on an environmental yardstick.
The committee was also asked to consider setting up artificial wetlands, bio-diversity parks and other necessary mitigations, including phyto-remediation at the mouth of drains leading to the river, at the cost of project proponents.
Installation of OEEMS
The NGT on February 6 directed the Central Pollution Control Board to look into the representations of Maharashtra Shetkari Sugar Ltd and to inspect (if needed) and ascertain the effectiveness of the company’s online effluent and emission monitoring system. The unit had pleaded that a closure order by the CPCB be lifted.
Compiled by Susan Chacko