Environmental Law Weekly Round-Up [01 July- 07 July, 2023]

A weekly round-up of development in environmental law jurisprudence.Nominal IndexArvind Kumar Agarwal & Ors v.The Chief Secretary To Govt Of Tamil Nadu & Ors.Gaurav Sharma v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.Sudhir Gupta v. DDA & Anr. [2023 LiveLaw (Del) 545]Neema Waldia v. State of Uttarakhand & othersOther UpdatesSupreme Court1.“Compensation Awarded For Damage...

Illegal Mining In Prayagraj: National Green Tribunal Directs UP PCB To Identify Violators, File Action Taken Report

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed UP PCB to identify violators of environmental norms and file action taken reports against proponents carrying illegal mining activities in Prayagraj District.After considering the report indicating several violations with respect to mining and sand washing plants, the bench of Justice Sheo Kumar Singh (Chairperson), Justice...

Solid Waste Management In Haryana’s Hisar: NGT Constitutes Committee, Calls For Factual Report

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a joint committee to prepare a factual report and report on actions taken regarding violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and NGT guidelines by the Municipal Corporation of Hisar.“The State PCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and logistic support. The report may include status of solid waste...

‘Discharge Of Pollution In Yamuna, Failure To Implement Directions Is Lack Of Governance’: National Green Tribunal

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal has observed, after perusing the status report submitted by the Delhi Government before it, that untreated and partially treated sewage and industrial waste are entering Delhi's Yamuna.While noting that the large-scale pollution is still unchecked, it said that the overall situation is "extremely disappointing."“Discharge of pollution in...

Centre Appoints Justice Sheo Kumar Singh As Acting Chairperson of National Green Tribunal

The Central Government has appointed Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I, Judicial Member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), to act as the Chairperson of the NGT until the date on which a new Chairperson is appointed.The Acting Chairperson is appointed in exercise of the powers conferred by section 11 of the NGT Act, 2010 read with clause (a) of rule 7 of the Tribunal (Conditions of Service)...

“Compensation Awarded For Damage To Environment”: Supreme Court Directs Purvankara Limited To Deposit 5.5 Crores To Tamil Nadu PCB

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M. Trivedi heard an appeal against NGT, Chennai bench judgment which had directed a Chennai-based private builder company to pay 5.5 crores for violation of environmental laws. The Apex court observed that “Compensation is awarded for non-compliance as well as damage to the environment”. It directed Purvankara projects...

NGT Chairperson Justice A.K. Goel To Retire On Thursday: A Look Back At Key NGT Initiatives, Decisions Under His Tenure

Justice A.K. Goel, who served as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati and Orissa High Court, was elevated to the position of a Judge in the Supreme Court in 2014. Thereafter, he assumed the role of Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 6, 2018. As he concludes his tenure, Justice A.K. Goel is scheduled to retire tomorrow.The NGT has played a pivotal role in upholding...

Pollution In AIIMS: NGT Constitutes Committee To Form SoP For Reducing Pollution In, Around Government Hospitals

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a five-member joint committee headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Health to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) aimed at reducing pollution in and around all government district hospitals or hospitals larger than district hospitals, including medical colleges.The Tribunal was hearing the plea filed...

Disclose Instances Of Illegal Mining In State, Action Taken Against Such Breaches: Uttarakhand High Court To State

The Uttarakhand High Court directed the State to disclose the instances of illegal mining in the state and the actions taken against such breaches.“The State should disclose in its affidavit to be filed within two weeks the instances of illegal mining by the licensees, which have come to light, and the nature of action taken in respect of each of such breaches, in the entire State,”...

Don't Destroy Natural Grass Of Football And Hockey Fields At Siri Fort Sports Complex For Artificial Turf: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court recently ordered that the football and hockey fields at the Siri Fort Sports Complex having natural grass be not destroyed or altered to artificial turf.“Siri Fort Sports Complex (SFSC) lies in the heart of South Delhi and the adjoining greenery needs to be protected at all cost, as the entire area is a green lung for the city. A park or a green area in the midst of...

Centre Invites Suggestions On Draft Green Credit Programme Implementation Rules 2023, Aims At Encouraging Voluntary Environmental Actions

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has notified the Draft Green Credit Programme Implementation Rules 2023 and invited suggestions from the general public. The objections or suggestions can be filed within 60 days from the date of notification, which was issued on June 26th.Green Credit was introduced in the Union Budget 2023-24 with the idea of encouraging and rewarding...

A Review Of The NGT On Environmental Compensation And Waste Management Implementation

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) since its inception has been vigorously adjudicating environmental disputes in accordance with the legislative and governmental policies. Headlines in the media of heavy penalty or compensation by the court are being reported often. Despite such headlines, the same media on the other page report the poor quality of the air, polluted rivers, contaminated lands and pictures of waste accumulated on the streets. It is thus indispensable to find out the reasons...