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
Delhi water mismanagement
The revival of water bodies in Delhi was important for recharge of ground water as this, in turn, will impact water availability in the Yamuna river, a two-member bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and SP Wangdi of the NGT stressed in their order of February 3.
Thus, it was necessary to “consider a compensation regime with a view to ensuring sustainable development and inter-generational equity.”
The tribunal was hearing the case of water management in Delhi, including rain water harvesting, revival of water bodies, use of treated water and control of illegal extraction of ground water.
UP trees to go for railway over bridges
The Supreme Court on January 30 granted permission to fell trees for the construction of three railway overbridge projects in Uttar Pradesh, subject to fulfillment of certain conditions.
The Social Forestry Division of Agra will have to do compensatory planting of 1,000 plants of indigenous species in 1 hectare of land in Gata No.10 of Majua Mutavai Tehsil, Fatehbad according to the apex court.
Waste dumped under Pallavaram over bridge
The NGT on February 3 directed the formation of a joint committee comprising of the district collector, of Chengalpattu, the TNSPCB and the commissioner of Pallavaram municipality to look into allegations of dumping of solid and animal waste under the Pallavaram over bridge.
It was also alleged that sewage water was getting stagnant in the area due to non-maintenance of the sewage system.
The committee has also been ordered to ascertain the number of meat shops in the area, whether they are having the necessary licences or other consents and whether the waste management is proper and in accordance with the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016.
Use of agro fuel for brick kilns
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 6 directed the member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit a report on the carrying capacity of a number brick kilns as samples for emission monitoring and impact on ambient air and loss of top soil. Such a study would be helpful in assessing the permissible number of brick kilns and technology to be used in non-NCR areas.
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.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.