NGT Has Duty To Ensure Environmental Clearance Is Lawfully Granted : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday (July 25) set aside the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) order that permitted the establishment of a Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF) in Azamgarh District, Uttar Pradesh.A bench of Justice Abhay Oka, Justice Prashant Mishra, and Justice AG Masih reinstated a plea before NGT which challenged the environmental clearance for the CBWTF on the ground...

Supreme Court Sets Aside NGT Orders Allowing Construction Of Tiracol Bridge In Goa's Querim Beach

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 23) set aside the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) orders dated January 22, 2020, and January 17, 2022, which had allowed the construction of the Tiracol bridge on Querim beach in Goa.The NGT had previously permitted the construction of the bridge, citing its public utility and the assertion that it could be built without causing environmental damage, based on...

Ensure Water Quality Of Rivers At Prayagraj Is Maintained For Pilgrims Of Kumbh Mela: NGT To State Authorities

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the State authorities to ensure that water quality of Ganga-Yamuna rivers for pilgrims of Kumbh mela which is to be organized in 2024-25 at Uttar Pradesh's Prayraj is maintained to the level of drinking water quality.Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel while granting eight...

Forest Fire In Morni Hills | Punjab & Haryana High Court Asks Govt To Submit Details Of Steps Initiated To Control Fire

The Punjab & Haryana High Court today has asked Haryana Government to submit about the status of the active forest fire in Panchkula's Morni Hills and what steps are being taken to control it.A vacation bench of Justice Archana Puri and Justice Harpreet Kaur Jeewan while issuing notice to Haryana Government, Secretary to Department of Environment, Deputy Commissioner, Principal...

2.33 Million Hectares Of Tree Cover Lost Since 2000| NGT Takes Suo Moto Action, Seeks Response From Centre Govt

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought response from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Survey of India (SOI) and the to a newspaper report stating "India lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000".Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A....

Supreme Court Calls For Report On Environmental Impact Of Construction Of 5-Star Hotel Near Udai Sagar Lake, Rajasthan

In a public interest litigation assailing construction of a 5-star hotel in Udai Sagar lake of Rajasthan, the Supreme Court on May 14 called for a report from the state government on the status of construction as well as its impact on the environment (including the lake).A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta passed the order, listing the matter in September, 2024. The status...

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...