Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been enforced in the state of Bihar and district administrations are implementing it in their respective districts, depending on the air quality index (AQI). This was stated in the action taken report filed by Bihar in compliance with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of November 10, 2023.
Street sweeping and water sprinkling is being done on all the roads situated within the jurisdiction of municipal corporations. Work is being done manually in districts where mechanical sweeping is not possible. Dust from roads has thus been removed and as such, is not becoming air borne. Air quality is thus improving.
The Bihar State Pollution Control Board carried out spot inspections from November 3-15 in order to identify hotspots which are a source of pollution in different districts of the state, said the November 20 report.
The NGT November 20 directed Uttar Pradesh to place on record a detailed map clearly depicting the water spread area and catchment/zone of influence area of the Dhanauri wetland as mapped in the National Inventory of Wetlands.
The NGT noted that the Yamuna Express Industrial Development Authority plans to demarcate the Dhanauri Wetland in terms of the Draft Master Plan, 2041 — wherein the area of the wetland appears to be less than that shown in the National Inventory of Wetlands. Uttar Pradesh has sought time to clarify the same. There is no dispute that the area of the wetland which has already been mapped in the Atlas cannot be reduced.
Counsel for the applicant, during the course of arguments, produced emails dated August 30, 2022 referring to the earlier emails as well as one dated October 17, 2023 sent by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in connection with a request for declaring the Dhanauri wetland as a Ramsar site and sarus crane sanctuary.
The email reflects that inspite of the request by the MoEF&CC, the requisite response has not been submitted by the said authorities. Uttar Pradesh has been asked to clarify the action taken / response by the authorities to the emails. The status report has to be filed within four weeks.
The NGT November 20 said it was difficult to accept the stand of different authorities in the National Capital Region that they are taking all possible measures to control air pollution and improve the quality of air because the air quality index of Delhi does not indicate any significant improvement.
The court directed the authorities to take all possible measures to ensure that quality of air improves in Delhi and submit a report. The matter has been listed for November 29.
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