Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Delay in hydro project
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 31, 2019 dismissed the applications filed against the committee which was constituted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in November 2017 for the Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project.
"The project is to advance public interest. We have not found any material on record justifying the plea of bias. The Economic Advisory Council has conducted the appraisal. The competent authority has agreed with the same. Mere association of organisations with the project in professional capacity is not enough to hold that any expert who worked in such association will have an institutional bias", read the order.
Disposal of untreated sewage
The NGT on July 29, 2019 directed the the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation to stop discharging untreated sewage into the drains at Avantika Colony and to clean them, besides furnishing a compliance report.
In its report, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) had acknowledged that untreated sewage was being pumped out and discharged in the open drains. Though the sewerage network had been constructed, it was choked due to a lack of maintenance, the report had said.
The UPPCB had communicated the findings to the municipal corporation and had asked it to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 99,12,109 for its failure to take necessary steps.
Red category industries in residential area
The NGT on July 29, 2019 directed a joint committee comprising the Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Board, Central Ground Water Authority and the District Magistrate, Panipat to look into the presence of 'red category' industries that had been established in Panipat's Sector 18.
The committee has been asked to submit a report within a month.
According to an application filed by the Residents Welfare Association of Sector 18, Panipat, Haryana, the polluting factories had been established without a 'Consent to Establish' under the provisions of the Water Act 1974 and the Air Act 1981 in the residential area.
The industries are discharging toxic effluents into the irrigation canal and also polluting the river Yamuna.
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.
India Environment Portal Resources :
.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.