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Waste

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (December 20, 2019)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal through the week;

DTE Staff

Waste dumping at Mollar Bheri, Kolkata

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 18, 2019 directed Bidhan Nagar Municipal Corporation, Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA) and Newtown Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) to dispose of waste scientifically following Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

An application filed by environment activist Subhas Datta alleged that those three urban local bodies were dumping waste at Mollar Bheri area of the West Bengal capital.

The Bidhan Nagar corporation was also directed to act time-bound. It told the NGT that environmental compensation of Rs 2 crore and a performance guarantee of Rs 50 lakh was deposited.

Banquet halls in Shivaji Marg, Delhi violating environmental norms

The NGT on December 20 directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to issue guidelines and directions to check illegal operations of banquet halls in Shivaji Marg area near Zakhira Circle. 

DPCC filed a compliance report on December 13 on mitigation measures to adverse environmental and public health impact of the halls and such establishments, including laying down guidelines, and environmental compensations.

The NGT directed that DPCC’s suggestions be acted upon to “give effect to the ‘Precautionary’ and ‘Sustainable Development’ principles of environmental law.”

Hotels/motels not conforming to environmental norms in Delhi

The NGT on December 20 directed the DPCC to look into the matter of hotels / motels violating environmental norms in Delhi. The Delhi government as well as the local bodies have failed to take action, according to the representation before the tribunal.