Environment
Supreme Court Seeks ASI Response To Vision Document To Protect Taj Mahal From Pollution
The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Archaeological Survey of India regarding the Vision Document prepared for the protection of the Taj Mahal. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan considered an application filed by Shri Raman, who raised concerns about environmental pollution in the Taj Trapezium Zone. Senior Advocate Mr. Sanjay Upadhyay, representing...
NGT Refuses To Extend Registeration Of Special Armoured Diesel Vehicles Used For PM Modi's Security
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) principal bench has rejected the plea filed by Special Protection Group (SPG) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the registration period of three Specialized Armoured Vehicles (SPV).The Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta v.. Union of India & Ors [WP (C) No. 13029/1985] has directed that diesel vehicles of more than 10 years' old shall not ply in NCR in...
Exempting Earth Extraction For Linear Projects From Environmental Clearance Arbitrary : Supreme Court Quashes Centre's Notification
The Supreme Court (on March 21) set aside an amendment that eliminated the requirement of environmental clearance for extracting the earth for linear projects such as roads, pipelines, etc. The Court termed this blanket exemption “completely unguided.” Based on this, it was held to be arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. One of the reasons the Court...
NGT Directs UP Additional Chief Secretary To State Steps Taken Relating To Expansion Of Agra's Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
The National Green Tribunal (Principal Bench), directed Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Forest and Climate Change to state steps taken in expansion of Agra's Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary.Taking note of the affidavit filed by the ACS, A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Dr. A. Senthil Vel and Dr. A. Afroz Ahmad said that, “Let further action taken...
Ground Water Contamination| NGT Raps Punjab PCB, NEERI For Its Failure Take Immediate Measures In Sangrur, Says Problem 'So Serious', Summons Top Officials
The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has summoned the Director, NEERI and Member Secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to explain the delay in filing the status report and what immediate measures can be taken to resolve the problem of groundwater contamination in Punjab's Sangrur.A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Dr. A....
Supreme Court Criticises NGT's Trend Of Passing Ex-Parte Orders Imposing Penalties, Says Tribunal Must Act With 'Procedural Integrity'
Recently, the Supreme Court voiced its discontent with the National Green Tribunal's practice of passing ex parte orders and imposing damages. The judgment, authored by Justice PS Narasimha, has marked that such unilateral decision-making 'has regrettably become a prevailing norm.' “The National Green Tribunal's recurrent engagement in unilateral decision making, provisioning ex...
E-Rickshaws To Be Provided In Matheran Only For Present Hand Cart Pullers: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court (on January 10) clarified that E-Rickshaws, if permitted, in the city of Matheran would be only for present hand cart pullers. This was to compensate them on account of their loss of employment. The Court further clarified that there should also be a restriction on the number of E-rickshaws permitted in Matheran. The Division Bench of Justices B.R Gavai and...
Supreme Court Asks CEC To Examine Issues Related To Mining In Aravali Hills
The Supreme Court (on January 10), prima facie, opined that if the State of Rajasthan believes that the mining activities in the Aravali Range pose a threat to the environment, the State can also prevent mining activities in the Aravalli Range. “We, prima facie, feel that if the State is of the view that the mining activities in the Aravali Range is also detrimental to the...
Environmental Norm Violation Allegations At CM Arvind Kejriwal's Official Residence: NGT Imposes Cost On Delhi Govt, PWD For Delaying Response
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday imposed a cost of Rs. 10,000 on Delhi's Public Welfare Department (PWD) and Delhi government for their failure in filing the response in the matter of the alleged environmental violation at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence.It also imposed a cost of Rs.15,000 on Forest Department for filing an "incomplete report."Whiled...
Frame Policy To Phase Out Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles & Replace Them With BS-VI Vehicles : Supreme Court Directs Centre
The Supreme Court on Thursday (January 11) directed that the Union of India should formulate a policy of phasing out heavy-duty diesel vehicles and replacing them with BS VI vehicles. The policy should be framed within a period of six months from today.The Court asked the Union to examine the recommendations made by the Environment Pollution(Prevention and Control) Authority, which has been...
NGT Not Supposed To Apply Strict Rigours Of CPC When Citizen Approaches With Grievance : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court (on January 04) expressed dissatisfaction with the NGT's approach while dismissing an application. The application alleged that a waterbody/pond was being filled up. However, the NGT summarily dismissed the same without holding any inquiry. The Tribunal's findings were based only on certain photographs. Discontent with the same, the Apex Court observed that when...
Supreme Court Asks Central Pollution Control Board To Examine Issue Of Pollution By Stone Crushing Units, Calls For Report
In an appeal by Ministry of Environment, the Supreme Court has called for a report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the issue of pollution by Stone Crushing Units and as to whether these Units should be brought under the Schedule of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, thereby necessitating obtaining of environmental clearance.A Division Bench of...