Environment

Court digest: Major environment hearings of the week (April 1-5)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal

 
By DTE Staff
Published: Saturday 06 April 2019
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NGT asks Goa to frame policy to check illegal mining  

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on April 3 directed the state of Goa to frame appropriate policy/guidelines as well as a manual of Standard Operating Procedure, while hearing an application on illegal mining and the state’s failure in closing mines, especially those operating in the taluka of Pernem and other talukas of Goa. It has been alleged that the miners have made several pits with a view to excavate basalt/masonary and rubble stones. After the extraction, the excavated area is left without scientific closure which is necessary for restoration of environment. 

Sangli collector to probe forest encroachment by sugarcane farmers:  NGT 

A two-member bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice K. Ramakrishnan on April 3 passed an order asking the director, Department of Social Forestry and Collector, Sangli, to probe the allegations of encroachment in the forest near river Yerala by sugarcane farmers. The Kranti Smrutivan Trust had filed the appeal for protection of the project named 'Krantivan'. The project involved planting of trees in the names of martyrs who lost their lives in the Quit India Movement 1942, and the land was allotted in the year 1996 on the bank of river Yerala. 

Steps for compliance of SWM rules within six weeks: NGT 

The NGT on April 2, after discussions with the chief secretary, passed directions to ensure compliance of its orders on the subject of solid waste management and allied issues. Also the issue of recovery of damages from the states for their failure to comply with the environmental norms, including the statutory rules and orders of the Tribunal, will be considered later; along with the requirement of performance guarantee of a particular amount in case the progress achieved is found to be unsatisfactory. 

NGT asks MEA to address discharge of untreated effluents from Bangladesh 

The Municipal Corporation of Ranaghat, in West Bengal, on April 2 informed the NGT that discharge of untreated effluents from Bangladesh is one of the major cause of pollution in river Churni, and it has to be taken care of by the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The West Bengal government has been directed to address the matter to MEA and MoEF&CC, and they shall pursue the matter with the MEA and take necessary steps in this regard to help the West Bengal government in this regard. Further, Ranaghat Municipality has been directed to submit a report regarding the allegations of dumping of garbage, and steps taken to remove the same within a period of one month. 

NGT unhappy with construction affecting flow of water to Pallikaranai marshland 

The NGT on March 2 came down heavily on the principal secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, and the commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, for their failure to submit action taken reports on illegal construction in the course of the project called ‘Ramaniyam Ocean Dew Apartment’, affecting free flow of water from Narayanapuram lake to Pallikaranai marshland. Further, it was reported that there was no solid waste management, rain water harvesting, solar energy harvesting and other necessary features needed for safety of a high rise building with 15 floors. The Tribunal was told that the water canal was blocked, untreated sewage was discharged in open and debris and construction material was dumped at the site. 

For detailed verdicts, click here. 

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