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
Chalfilh project has violated Forest Act
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 9, 2019 directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to take up the matter of Chalfilh Tourist Destination Project, Phase I & II in Mizoram and “initiate appropriate proceedings under Sections 3 A and 3 B of the Act read with Rule 9 of the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003.”
An application filed by Centre for Environment Protection had said that the project was in violation of Forest Act, 1980 and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. This was reinforced by the affidavit filed by Mizoram, which conceded to the environmental violations alleged in the application.
Co-generation unit within Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
The NGT on December 5 directed constitution of a committee comprising of various officials to look into whether a 26 MW co-generation unit was being built on land that fell within the eco-sensitive zone of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in Maharashtra.
The committee, the tribunal directed, must visit the land in Limpangaon village, Shrigonda taluk in Ahmednagar district, verify the factual aspects and submit a report.
In the event the allegations are found to be correct, appropriate action in accordance with the law should be be taken and an action-taken report submitted, the NGT said.
Brick field in Kaobati village, 24 South Parganas
The NGT on December 9 directed the West Bengal Pollution Control Board to inspect the running of a brick field at Kaobati village in South 24 Parganas district and submit a report. In the event the brick field was found to be running illegally, the state pollution control board was at liberty to take action in accordance with law, the NGT said.
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.
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.