Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on March 11, 2024 directed the constitution of a joint committee to look into allegations of encroachment and pollution being faced by lakes and waterbodies in Terai region in Uttar Pradesh. The panel would also look into allegations that land developers and real estate agencies were converting ponds and lakes into housing projects and commercial complexes.
The committee would comprise regional officer, Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, Lucknow; member secretary, Uttar Pradesh State Wetland Authority and district magistrate, Bahraich.
The committee was directed to visit the site, ascertain the factual status and the original area of the Baghel taal as per the revenue record and the extent of encroachment on the lake area.
The committee will also obtain water samples from the lake and a sample analysis report to determine the nature of the lake’s water quality, as well as recommend remedial measures and submit an action taken report to the tribunal at least a week before the next date of hearing, May 14, 2024, the NGT order said.
The matter was taken up on the basis of a news report published in Civil Society Magazine, titled Map and Save Water Bodies. The report reflected the issue of encroachment and pollution being faced by lakes and waterbodies in Terai region in UP.
Baghel taal stretches almost 42 kilometres in size but numerous farms have encroached upon its edges and colonised the surrounding wetland areas, the report claimed. The water is drained and intensive farming is happening around the periphery, threatening critical natural resources, it added.
Not only the Baghel taal but other water bodies in the area are also suffering the same fate, the report alleged. Land developers and real estate agencies are converting ponds and lakes into housing projects and commercial complexes, it said.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) requested time from the NGT to file an action-taken report disclosing the action for imposition of environmental compensation (EC) against those responsible for illegal mining of Shivalik hills in the Beet area and the resulting environmental damage.
The NGT on March 11, 2024 directed that the report should be filed a week before the next date of hearing, May 14, 2024.
A report filed by the Department of Mines and Geology on January 11, 2024 disclosed that the first information reports or FIRs have been registered against people found connected with the illegal mining. The Joint Committee constituted by the ADC, Rupnagar submitted a report disclosiing that 22 FIRs have been registered for mining contraventions against crushers installed in Khera Kalmot crusher zone and 27 demand notices have been issued to the mining offenders amounting to Rs 51.89 crore in 2023.
The PPCB in its response on March 6, 2024 disclosed the action for imposition of EC against 13 named stone crushers.
“It is not in dispute that EC has been imposed by the PPCB for violation of the pollution norms by these stone crushers, but no EC has been imposed on any violator who has caused environmental damage by carrying out illegal mining in the forests and mountains area concerned,” said the order.
Approximately 420 tonnes per day (TPD) of fresh, biodegradable waste is generated in the municipal limits of Meerut, which is then treated at Gawadi, Municipal Corporation of Meerut told NGT.
Pit composting accommodates up to 1500 tonnes daily. The total non-biodegradable waste generated in the municipal limits of Meerut is approximately 280 tonnes, the municipal corporation said.
“The processing capacity of Meerut Nagar Nigam for fresh waste generated is at the stage of saturation, and therefore, the Meerut Nagar Nigam has allocated Rs 10 crore to enhance the processing capacity of fresh waste generation and establishment of Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant to cater the need of increasing population,” the report by Municipal Corporation, Meerut said.
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