Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Smog in Delhi
The Supreme Court (SC) on November 13, 2019 directed the Union of India as well as the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to convene a meeting for working out the feasibility of installation of smog towers which would take care of smog in the city within a certain kilometre range.
The apex court further directed that a proposal be placed before the court after the meeting “as it is an urgent matter from the point of view of Delhi.”
Further, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been asked to “produce the record of each and every day from November 2, 2019, including that of November 11 and 12, 2019, which were not odd/even days, till November 14, 2019.”
The CPCB has also been asked to submit the day-to-day record for the month of October 2019, along with the records for the time period from October 10, 2018 to December 31, 2018 as well as for January and February 2019.
The apex court also heard the matter of conversion to duel fuel. It directed the concerned persons to file their response, as the Government of India has said that conversion to duel fuel is possible.
Air pollution in northern India
The SC on November 13 directed that the feasibility of the technology being explored by the Union government to deal with pollution in the National Capital Region and the whole of northern India during winters be explored at the earliest, keeping in mind the seriousness of the situation and a report submitted by December 3, 2019.
The apex court was responding to Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, who had informed it that he had interacted with Vishawanth R Joshi, a researcher from Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. Joshi is currently working to develop appropriate technology to deal with the problem.
Mehta submitted the information to the apex court in response to a suo motu (on its own motion) writ petition on the matter.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.