Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Expansion of Cancer Care Centre in Shimla to be looked into: NGT
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 31 asked the Supervisory Committee comprising officers of Himachal Pradesh to look into the expansion of Cancer Care Centre in Shimla. The Tribunal in its Judgement dated 16/11/2017 had prohibited any new construction in ‘Core and Green/Forest area’ of Shimla in view of the impact of huge constructions already made affecting seismicity and environment. NGT directs an evaluation to be done by the Supervisory Committee consistent with the parameters laid down by the Tribunal in the Shimla judgment.
SC directs transfer of fund to the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund
The Supreme Court on January 28 ordered for the transfer of fund as per the provision of the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 to the Central government. As per the order passed by the SC on 05.05.2006, an ad hoc arrangement was made before the enactment of National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016. Now CAF Act has been enacted, a prayer has been made by the Central government and the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change to act as per the provisions of the Act.
Recover compensation for illegal mining activities in villages of Punjab: NGT
A report submitted before the National Green Tribunal on January 31 by a Joint Committee of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Director Mining, state of Punjab and the Punjab State Pollution Control Board (PSPCB) found illegal mining in villages Harshabela, Swarha and Baihara. Also mining was taking place beyond the permitted depth and the mine lease area was not demarcated among other illegalities. The Tribunal asked the Committee to make an assessment of the damages to be recovered and said that damages should include not only the cost of the illegally mined material but also for damage to the environment and for deterrent effect and for the cost of the ecological services forgone forever.
Graphite India responsible for non-compliance of environment mitigation measures: NGT
The National Green Tribunal on January 28 directed for the constitution of a Joint Committee comprising representatives of CPCB, KSPCB and NEERI, Karnataka to carry out ambient air monitoring of the industrial unit of Graphite India Limited located at ITPL main road, Bangalore and the surrounding area by setting up ambient air monitoring stations in at least 10 different locations. The Tribunal was hearing the case of high level of air pollution caused by the graphite dust emitted by the industry.
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