Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
The pollution control board of Telangana (TSPCB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has taken action against stone crusher units operating illegally in the Rangareddy and Sangareddy districts in the state.
The NGT had asked TSPCB to file a report while hearing a petition October 14, 2022.
The pollution control board inspected the stone-crushing units and found that 13 units were dismantled. The revenue officials seized 12 stone crushers violating environmental norms in the presence of TPCB, said the report submitted November 15.
SMI Stone Crusher and DBR Metal Industry, operating in the Rangareddy district, were directed to pay environmental compensation of Rs 91,25,000 and Rs 83,55,000, respectively, the report stated.
The NGT has accepted Udaipur-based Hindustan Zinc Ltd’s request to treat the environmental compensation imposed on the company as corporate social responsibility.
The NGT had imposed a penalty of Rs 25 crore for violating environmental norms February 2 this year. The tribunal slapped the compensation while responding to an application.
“Heavy blasting and underground mining operations result in contamination of drinking of water, resulting in various diseases like asthma,” the applicant had stated.
The mines discharged toxic and contaminated water. Livestock are also affected, the applicant stated.
A joint committee constituted by the NGT agreed to its impact on groundwater, agriculture and livestock. It observed that land is also degraded due to the same.
The NGT ordered the company to devise a micro watershed management plan for the protection of groundwater and soil.
A three-tier committee has been constituted to monitor the activities under the action plan to eliminate identified single-use plastics in Lakshadweep, stated a report filed by the Union Territory (UT) before the NGT.
The Lakshadweep administration has imposed a ban on all types of plastic carry bags as well as the sale and usage of 23 single-use plastic items, said the report filed November 15.
Solid waste generation in the UT accounts for 18 tonnes per day. The report added that some 43 biogas plants are functioning to manage kitchen waste. There aren’t any unregulated landfills in the UT, the report added.
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