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) directed a committee to investigate the allegations of illegal mining by Maa Durga stone crusher in Chadwas village, Rajasthan. The tribunal was responding to a petition on May 24, 2023.
The committee comprising the district magistrate Churu, members from the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and the district forest officer should visit the site, collect relevant information on the extent of environmental damage and submit a report within two months, the NGT directed.
The unit carried out mining beyond the permissible limit, the petitioner alleged. Despite several complaints to the authorities, no action has been taken, and illegal mining is still continuing. More than 0.2 million metric tonnes of mineral has been illegally mined from the sites, the applicant added.
The NGT directed a joint committee to look into the allegations of encroachment by a coal tar plant on government land in Rampura village, Jaipur. The tribunal asked the committee to file a report within two months.
The land, marked in revenue records as gair-mumkin nallah, has been encroached upon by a coal tar plant that emits highly polluting gases and smoke. This has deteriorated the air quality of the area and the health of the local people, stated an application filed before the NGT.
The NGT directed the fisheries department to ensure that banned fish are not being cultured or developed in Chandlai village, Jaipur. Appropriate action must be taken within one month if prohibited fish nets are seen in use.
The tribunal was responding to an application on March 24, 2023. The petitioner alleged that a fisheries contractor was breeding and maintaining a prohibited category of exotic catfish — Thai Magur. This fish is dangerous for the aquatic ecology as it seriously damages the entire ecosystem where it is allowed to breed.
The contractor is also polluting the water here by leaving dead fish on the pond’s bank, added the petitioner. They are also using a banned fish net which is prohibited under the provisions of the Rajasthan Fisheries Act, 1953.
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