Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
The central zonal bench, Bhopal of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed a five-member joint committee to look into the allegations of illegal and unlawful setting up and operation of stone crushers and mining units in various villages in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh.
The committee, following a site visit and thorough examination of the environmental impact, as well as the necessity and requirement of consent conditions and environmental clearance, was instructed to provide a factual report on the matter along with details of actions taken within six weeks from the order dated February 28, 2024.
An application submitted to the NGT highlighted concerns about pollution and ecosystem damage resulting from the unauthorised establishment and operation of stone crusher and mining units in multiple villages across Rewa district. Not only is the air and water contaminated by dust, but the improper use of illegally acquired explosives through unauthorised blasting was posing a direct threat to human life, it said.
The minutes of the meeting of the Madhya Pradesh State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (MPSEIAA) explicitly stated that environment clearance (EC) for the operation of stone crusher units is not required, the application claimed. Coupled with the lack of a periodic monitoring mechanism by MPSEIAA, this issue has remained unnoticed and is escalating progressively.
The application further contended that 32 stone crushers / mining units are illegally operated without any proper and valid license and permission villages Narora, Hinauti, Sonra, Madhypur, Chhijwar, Baheliya, Kahmeriya, Baijnath and Bela, in Huzur tehsil, Rewa district.
The NGT, February 27, 2024 took up the matter of violation of environmental norms by multinational conglomerate Larsen & Toubro Ltd in the construction of an irrigation project in Madhya Pradesh.
The tribunal directed the joint committee to submit a report after visiting the location and presenting a factual report on the actions taken within six weeks. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board was designated as the nodal agency responsible for coordinating and providing logistic support. The next hearing of the case would be held on April 16.
NGT was hearing allegations of non-forest activities and failure to adhere to environmental clearance and forest clearance conditions by Larsen & Toubro Ltd and the Narmada Valley Development Authority during the construction of an irrigation project.
The project proponent is breaching the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, as they are improperly disposing of excavated waste in the nearby forest area without adequate covering, leading to air pollution in the area. Additionally, Larsen & Toubro has violated compliance standards by installing a pipeline at a reduced depth from the ground level, the application said.
The proponent is further violating forest clearance and EC conditions, the application alleged. This includes constructing a pump house in a forest area, inadequately implementing the compensatory afforestation scheme, openly dumping excavated soil without mitigation measures and neglecting to obtain necessary no objection certificates or clearances from affected villages and the joint forest management committee.
These environmental violations have caused significant harm to the flora and fauna of the forest area, and has also affected the livelihood and sustenance of the indigenous people, the applicant said.
The surface water quality as well as ecology of Laxmi Taal, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh has drastically improved, thanks to projects undertaken to renovate it, NGT was told by a 10-member committee.
The panel studied the historical aspect of Laxmi Taal based on various research studies and reports about water balance — water recharge resource, ecological balance, water storage capacity and quality of water.
A boundary wall that was constructed is not impacting the catchment area and pathway helps in promoting Laxmi Taal as a tourist spot, the committee added.
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.