Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Soorsagar Lake
The Rajasthan government was committed to protecting the Soorsagar lake in the city of Jodhpur, an action-taken report filed by it before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), said.
The report was in compliance with the NGT orders of February 6, 2020 and July 13, 2020, that dealt with the Soorsagar lake with respect to its mapping survey and boundary determination.
The Rajasthan government (local self government department) had passed a notification August 10, 2020 in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Section 4 of the Rajasthan Lakes (Protection and Development) Authority Act, 2015, the report said.
The notification declared and specified the area and the boundaries of the Soorsagar lake. It also said the geographical area around the lake, in the Bagan village of Jodhpur tehsil, was a protected area.
The report was uploaded to the NGT site October 1.
Wood use by industries
The NGT September 29 directed that action be taken in accordance with law to ensure compliance of environmental norms in the matter of some industries using wood as fuel in the industrial area of Dahod, Gujarat. The practice was causing carbon pollution in the vicinity.
The Gujarat State Pollution Control Board acknowledged that there was a violation of environmental norms and that its report of July 16, 2020 had mentioned the steps taken, including assessment of compensation.
However, recovery could not be effected as “hearing is to be given to the concerned units, in pursuance of an order of the High Court, which will be done within two months.”
Lake Gondaval
The NGT September 29, 2020, disposed an application on the encroachment of the Gondaval (Gundolave) lake, which resulted in it narrowing at Madanganj Kishanganj.
The district magistrate of Ajmer, in a report July 23, had informed the NGT that adequate steps were being taken for the protection of the lake.
The report said steps had been taken in accordance with the Master Plan. Further steps would be taken for the protection of the lake.
Green area encroachment
The NGT September 30 directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board and the district magistrate of Panchkula to furnish a factual and action-taken report on the setting up of an Indian Oil Corp Ltd retail outlet of Haryana Tourism in the premises of Pinjore Garden. The report has to be furnished before January 22, 2021.
The setting up of the outlet was in violation of the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board January 7, 2020 and the Haryana State Pollution Control Board February 5, 2020. The outlet was carved out of the parking lot and was also in violation of Pinjore Kalka Urban Complex Master Plan, 2030, the applicant, Tarsem Kumar said.
If the petrol pump was found located in violation of the guidelines, it would be shifted, the tribunal said. The state pollution control board and the district magistrate must ensure compliance of the guidelines, it added.
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