Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Illegal dumping of municipal solid waste
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on August 9, 2019 directed the Nagar Palika Parishad of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, to furnish a performance guarantee of Rs 10 lakh to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), for failing to comply with its order on solid waste management.
The case, filed for the compliance of orders passed by the NGT from 2016 to 2017, was against unregulated dumping of municipal solid waste in the flood plain area of Yamuna river. Also, burning of municipal solid and plastic waste was becoming an environmental hazard in Vrindavan city.
A report submitted by a joint committee comprising representatives of the CPCB, State Pollution Control Board (PCB) and Nagar Palika Parishad, Vrindavan, mentioned that no adequate progress has been made for segregation and storage of recyclable waste like plastic and glass.
The municipal solid waste site has not been developed scientifically and no arrangement made for leachate collection and treatment, said the report.
The tribunal has now asked the state Chief Secretary to look into the matter in view of the “consistent failure of the Nagar Palika Parishad, Vrindavan and also the Secretary, Urban Development”, ensure compliance and file an action taken report by Novermber 30.
Polluting industries
Small scale industries of Nandanvan Industrial Estate in Mumbai, Maharashtra, are causing air pollution, according to an application filed by the residents of Asha Nagar in Mulund (West).
After inspection, the state PCB issued notices to the industries. In two of its action taken reports, the PCB informed the tribunal that steps in the matter have been taken for recovery of compensation.
The NGT on August 9 disposed of the application with the direction that the state PCB should continue to monitor compliance of water and air quality norms by the industries.
Inflammable chemicals unit sealed in Delhi
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on August 7 informed the NGT that units storing inflammable chemicals at Rana Complex in Rithala, Delhi have been closed.
The DPCC also stated that compensation for damages has been collected, supply of electricity and water have been disconnected.
In its report, the DPCC confirmed that different chemicals were found stored including titanium dioxide, plastic colours, CPE (Chlorinated Polyethylene Resin) and others, which could affect public health and were in violation of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989.
The report further stated that solid waste management was found to be poor. In its March 2019 order, the tribunal had directed the DPCC to furnish a further action taken report on the subject of onsite-and-offsite emergency plans by the occupiers.
On August 9, the NGT disposed of the matter saying that no further order is necessary at this stage.
Muck dumping
Kangra Hydro Power Ventures Pvt Ltd was indulging in illegal cutting of trees for construction at its Hydro Power Project at Rawa Village in Himachal Pradesh, according to an application filed by the Pradhan Gram Sudhar Sabha at Rawa.
The tribunal had sought a report from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (HoFF), Himachal Pradesh. It also issued a direction to consider revising schedule for compensation with regard to muck dumping and other violations.
Accordingly a report was furnished, which stated that reclamation plan has been prepared and compensation recovered.
On August 9, the NGT disposed of the matter saying that no further order is necessary at this stage.
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