Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Rewalsar lake pollution
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on June 29, 2020 directed that continuous efforts should be made by the administration to protect the Rewalsar lake in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
A report filed by the district magistrate of Mandi informed the NGT that the surroundings of the lake were cleaned everyday by the Nagar Panchayat, Rewalsar. Further, drains had been constructed around the lake to prevent waste from entering it and these drains were also cleaned regularly.
Hotels and houses / residential accommodation in Rewalsar had their own septic tanks. However, a new sewerage network scheme worth Rs 1.5 crore had been sanctioned for the town and was being currently constructed by the irrigation and public health department.
Panipat Cooperative Sugar Mill
The Central Pollution Control Board and the Haryana State Pollution Control Board filed their report to the NGT on pollution by M / s Panipat Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd, at Gohana Road, Panipat. Residents of the nearby area had complained of bad smell and breathing issues due to floating flyash / bagasse particles.
During inspection, it was found that the unit had not provided proper seepage proof holding lagoon of 15 days holding capacity to store treated effluent according to norms. The treated effluent from the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) was taken into a small collection pit which was found overflowing back in an equalisation tank.
Also, the unit had not yet prepared a comprehensive irrigation management plant for utilising the treated effluent in irrigation according to the notified treated irrigation protocol for sugar industries.
Encroachment of green spaces in Sikandra
The NGT on June 29 directed the collector of Agra to ensure that no illegal constructions or cattle shed or operation of dairy farm took place in the area of the city's green belt in the future, in and around Ram Ji Dham colony and Rishipuram Colony, Sikandra, Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
Dumping of waste in Pithoragarh
A report filed by the Secretary, Urban Department, Uttarakhand informed the NGT that the Solid Waste Management Plant in Pithoragarh would be functional by March 31, 2021.
The NGT demanded information on the allegation of dumping of garbage in forest land and directed that it should not take place in the future.
A further action taken and progress report as on October 31, 2020 should be filed by November 15, 2020, the order added.
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