Court digest: Major environment hearings of the week (Feb 22-March 1)

MoEFCC to frame policy on the use and disposal of antimony coated solar panels: NGT 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 27,2019 directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to frame a policy on the effective use and disposal of antimony coated solar panels. A report from experts submitted before the Tribunal states that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is preparing a blue print on the issue which shall thereafter be sent to the MoEFCC.  

NGT calls for carrying capacity assessment report of Chembur for change of fuel at TTPS 

The NGT on February 27 ordered that a three-member committee be constituted, comprising representatives of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi, to undertake scenario analysis and carrying capacity study of Chembur area in Mumbai. The Tribunal was hearing the case of modernisation of existing Unit-6 (500 MW) of M/s. Tata Power Company Ltd. at Trombay Thermal Power Station. The main point raised for consideration is that Chembur is highly polluted and densely populated area and it has been ranked as 46th most polluted industrial cluster by the CPCB. Also no carrying capacity or impact assessment was carried out before permitting change from oil to imported coal. 

Committee to examine Sewage Treatment Plant in Shegaon for seepage: NGT 

The NGT on February 27 directed that a three-member committee be constituted to examine the claims of seepage due to leakage in the sewerage pipe affecting soil and ground water in Shegaon, Buldana district, Maharashtra. The committee would also be responsible to examine the functional efficiency of the sewage treatment plant (STP) by conducting an appropriate test, according to the order by the two member bench of Justice S P Wangdi and K Ramakrishnan. 

NGT asks Goa govt to state steps taken on illegal mining in Chapora river 

The NGT on February 26 directed the state of Goa to file an affidavit mentioning the steps taken in terms of the directions issued in the matter related to illegal mining in the river Chapora, situated in the North Goa district. The case was instituted in 2015, and during the course of proceedings various directions were issued. The state has also been asked to comply with the order asking for installation of CCTV cameras at Zuvom de Tuyem island in the river Chapora. 

NGT bans polluting industries within 10 kms of eco-sensitive zone in Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary 

The NGT, in an order on February 27, said that since the final notification for eco-sensitive zone of Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary, Thane, Maharashtra has not been notified till date, the eco-sensitive zone would extend to 10 km distance from the boundary of the sanctuary, and therefore operation of all the brick kilns, commercial mining, stone quarrying and crushing units, setting of industries causing pollution, use of production or processing of any hazardous substances would be prohibited within that range. The Tribunal directed that a compliance of these directions be submitted. 

Bharals free from eye infection, NGT told 

The NGT, on February 27, while hearing the case of infections in the eyes of bharals (Himalayan Blue Sheep) in Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand, was informed that the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has conducted surveys between October 24, 2018 to December 9, 2018, and spotted 196 healthy bharals where no cases of infected individuals were reported. The WII tream visited different areas during the survey, namely Gangotri-Gaumukh, Nelong, Kedartal, Radragaira, Srikanth, Chaurgaad and Gidara. 

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