Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (July 15, 2019)

Disposal of SPL

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 11, 2019 heard the case of scientific disposal of spent pot lining (SPL) from the aluminium industries. SPL — produced by the smelting plants — contains high level of cyanide and fluoride and is carcinogenic in nature and must be scientifically utilised or detoxified. It has also been classified as hazardous waste under the Schedule to the Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The matter of disposal of hazardous waste was considered by the tribunal in with another application, wherein all the states where hazardous waste was being generated were directed to set up treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF) of adequate capacity at appropriate locations within three months, to be monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) by constituting a monitoring committee for the purpose.

The disposal of SPL was clubbed with the above matter and CPCB has been asked to furnish a report on or before August 26, 2019.

Clear ammunition dump at Raiwala: NGT

The NGT on July 11, 2019 has asked Army authorities operating in forest area at Raiwala, Uttarakhand to expeditiously restore Chila-Motichur Elephant Corridor to a suitable location, keeping in mind the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

The application was filed by the Centre for Wildlife and Environmental Litigation regarding shifting the ammunition dump.

Fine on Gammon India, Hindustan Construction

The NGT on July 11, 2019 slapped Gammon India Ltd and Hindustan Construction Co Ltd a fine of Rs 2 crore each, for not complying with pollution norms in the course of four laning of national highway from Udhampur to Banihal, Jammu and Kashmir.

Giving the companies last opportunity, the tribunal has asked to furnish the amount within a month.

In its previous order dated February 12, 2019, NGT had given directions to both companies to pay Rs 1 crore each as interim compensation and to furnish performance guarantee in the like amount to the CPCB within one month.

According to a state pollution control board (SPCB) report, inspection of dumping sites maintained by the Gammon India as well as the Hindustan Construction Company were found to be deficient. NGT said that even after its order there has been default and the performance guarantee of Rs 1 crore each would be forfeited.

UP schools violating environmental norms

A joint committee comprising representative of the Uttar Pradesh State PCB, Commissioner, Meerut and the district magistrate, Meerut have been asked by the NGT to furnish a fresh, detailed report within a month, on violation of environmental norms by four schools in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

The three member bench of Justices Adarsh Goel, SP Wangdi and K Ramakrishan, on July 11, 2019 heard the case against LRA Kids School, JP Academy School, Little Scholar Colts School and Little Scholar Colts School.

According to the applicant Manoj Chaudhary, even after the report submitted by the Commissioner of Meerut on March 26, the generator sets are still operating and air pollution being caused by the vehicles visiting the schools in a thickly populated residential area.

Carpet manufacturers in Rewari causing pollution

The NGT on July 11, 2019, heard the case of pollution caused by Uni Product Pvt Ltd and Golden Tex Pvt Ltd manufacturing carpets in district Rewari, Haryana.

The units were found to burn carpet waste comprising of synthetic material, causing air pollution.

It's been also alleged that they are extracting ground water for commercial purpose without any valid consent and without following any safeguards for recharge of the groundwater.

The NGT has directed a joint Committee comprising representatives of CPCB, SPCB and the district magistrate, Rewari to submit a factual and action taken report.

Environment India