Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Jharkhand’s asbestos mines
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), on July 22, 2019, heard the case of restitution of areas that were earlier under asbestos mining in Jharkhand.
The tribunal had, in October, 2015, directed Rajasthan, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh to list all abandoned asbestos mines and, in consultation with Indian Bureau of Mines, formulate a programme to visit and inspect each mine and submit report.
The director of mines, Jharkhand submitted a report in April, 2019 stating that certain steps have been taken and a detailed project report on the rehabilitation of the abandoned mines has been prepared with the cost of Rs 13.45 crore.
NGT has directed the state's chief secretary to oversee and implement the measures, particularly setting up of fencing with barbed wires, retaining wall and other steps and submit a compliance report by October 30, 2019.
Protection of mangroves
The NGT, on July 23, 2019, directed Goa's coastal authority to inspect the stretch of Chapora river along which there were mangroves. It sought a detailed report after verification of facts and circumstances set out in an application by Sagardeep Sirsaikar regarding the protection of mangroves.
Camurlim village near the river, containing the highest density of mangroves, was facing threat due to land filling of creeks and illegal constructions at Bardez, Goa, according to the application.
It was stated that the area where the construction was being undertaken falls under the no development zone according to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification, 2011. As the area consists mostly of mangroves, it has been classified as CRZ-I according to the coastal zone management plan of Goa, 1996.
Waste dumping
Indiscriminate dumping of solid waste material in Pushpabadhra River, which traverses through Jibhi town in Himachal Pradesh came up for consideration before the NGT on July 23, 2019.
The tribunal directed the state’s principal chief conservator of forests, pollution control board and a representative of deputy commissioner, Kullu to furnish a factual and action taken report in the matter within a month.
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