Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Widespread non-compliance of Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules rampant: NGT
The issue of non-compliance of the provisions of Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 (BMW Rules) came up for hearing on March 12 before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Tribunal directed all the states and Union Territories to ensure that reports in terms of Rule 13 of the BMW Rules are furnished to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) within one month. Further, the CPCB would then furnish a status report on compliance of BMW Rules after proper analysis. The Tribunal warned that any failure in this regard would result in the defaulting states paying compensation at the rate of Rs 1 crore per month after May 1, 2019.
Probe illegal mining in and around Balaram Ambaji sanctuary: NGT
The National Green Tribunal on March 13 was hearing an application filed by Ashok Shrimali on the matter of illegal mining in and around Balaram Ambaji sanctuary, Banaskantha district, Gujarat. According to the applicant, mining is illegal in the area as it is protected and declared as sanctuary, and also has endangered flora and fauna. The NGT directed that joint committee comprising representatives of State Pollution Control Board (SPCB); district collector, Banaskantha; deputy conservator of forests, and the district mining officer to submit a report on the matter.
NGT constitutes committee to look into large-scale felling of mangroves at Dheusagar
A two-member bench of Justice SP Wangdi and K Ramakrishnan of the NGT on March 12 directed the committee, which was constituted to examine the allegations of illegal constructions in the Sunderbans area, to look into the matter of large-scale felling of mangroves at Dheusagar on the Ganga Sagar Island. The Island is an estuary of river Ganga in the Bay of Bengal, which falls within the eco-sensitive Sunderbans area.
NGT deplores lack of action by DPCC against illegal scrap units in Mayapuri
The Delhi chief secretary was ordered by the NGT on March 11 to look into the matter of illegal scrap business at Mayapuri and submit a report on the same. The Tribunal expressed its displeasure at the approach of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) as no adequate action was taken against the industrial units found to be engaged in illegal activities. Moreover, the number of illegally operating units identified in the said category was not accepted as the “correct” number.
Plea for restoration of ecology of Kaikondarahalli lake
The NGT on March 11 heard an application filed by Mahadevpura Parisara Samrakshane Mattu Abhivrudhi Samiti praying for the restoration of ecology at Kaikondarahalli lake in Bangalore. The plea claimed that a construction project is being developed in the prohibited area of fragile buffer zone at Kaikondarahalli lake. The Tribunal directed a joint committee to look into the matter and submit a factual and action taken report within one month.
Solid waste management to be taken up to protect Ashwani Khad: Solan municipal council informs NGT
The state of Himachal Pradesh on March 11 submitted before the National Green Tribunal the steps taken for managing plastic waste, including use of plastic in road construction or in Waste to Energy Plants. The Tribunal was hearing the case of illegal dumping of solid waste into the drains joining Ashwani Khad — which supplies drinking water to Shimla.
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