No Mining Activity Within ESZ Even If Eco-Sensitive Zone Is More Than 1 Km From Protected Forest : Supreme Court Clarifies

On 28th April, 2023, the Supreme Court clarified its order dated 26th April 2023, wherein it stated that its previous order mandating a 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around protected forests would not be applicable to the ESZs in respect of which a draft and final notification has been issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) and in respect of the...

Delhi High Court Grants Interim Stay To Scrapping Of A Family Heritage Car

The Delhi High Court has granted an interim stay on the scrapping of a 15-year-old Daewoo Matiz, which the petitioner claims is a 'family heritage car.' The court has also issued a notice to the transport department and its authorized vehicle scrapping agency, M/s Go Green ELV Handlers.The bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri said that, “Till the next date of hearing, respondent...

Joint Committee On The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 Invites Suggestions From Public And Stakeholders On Proposed Law

The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, headed by Rajendra Agrawal, M.P., has released a notice inviting suggestions on the proposed law, considering its wider implications.The views of the public in general, as well as NGOs, experts, stakeholders, and institutions in particular, are invited.The official press release of the Parliament stated...

Ludhiana Gas Leak: National Green Tribunal Directs DM To Pay Rs 20 Lakh Compensation To Kin Of Deceased, Forms Fact Finding Committee

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted the eight member fact-finding joint Committee to be headed by Chairman, Punjab State PCB in the Ludhiana gas leak case.The Tribunal has also directed the District Magistrate of Ludhiana to pay compensation of Rs. 20 lakhs each to the heirs of 11 deceased in the tragedy.The bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel ( Chairperson), Justice Sudhir...

National Green Tribunal Forms Committee To File Action Taken Report On Environmental Degradation By Delhi’s 200 Parks, Green Areas

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a Joint Committee to file factual action taken report on application filed raising concerns over environmental degradation caused by 200 parks and green areas in Village Bijwasan and Bhartal, New Delhi.The bench of Justice Sudhir Agarwa and Dr. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) opined that, “a substantial question relating to environment due...

Environmental Law Weekly Round-Up [25 -30 April,2023]

A weekly round-up of development in environmental law jurisprudence.Nominal IndexIn re: T.N. Godavarman v. UOI [Citation : 2023 LiveLaw (SC) 362]In re : Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) [Citation : 2023 LiveLaw (SC) 363]National Green Tribunal & Anr. v. Goa Foundation & Ors. Jith Kumar v.The State of Kerala and othersAshok Malik & Anr. v. Ministry of RailwaysR.D. Singh Bandral...

Brahmapuram Fire: National Green Tribunal Directs Kerala’s Additional Chief Secretary To File Action Taken Report On Ash Removal From Dump Yard

The Southern Zone of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Local Self Government Department, Kerala to file a detailed report about the actions taken in response to the orders passed by the Tribunal for the removal of burned waste from the Brahmapuram dump yard.The bench of Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati said that,...

'Metro Rail Caters To Millions, Reduces Carbon Emissions' : Supreme Court Refuses To Interfere With DMRC Phase-IV Metro Work

Recently, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the construction work on phase-IV of Delhi Metro, stating that any interference at this stage would also result in a huge escalation of its cost, causing a loss to the public exchequer.The bench of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Vikram Nath said that, “No doubt that the concern for the environment is an important aspect. However, at the...

Supreme Court Expresses Concern About Unregulated Visits Of Devotees In Places Of Worship Situated In National Parks & Sanctuaries

The Supreme Court has expressed concerns at the unregulated number of devotees visiting places of worship which are situated in national parks and sanctuaries."In many of the forests in such Protected Areas, certain places of worship are situated where the devotees come in thousands and lakhs. On one hand, it is not possible for the administration to restrain such devotees from visiting...

National Green Tribunal Rejects Taxi Union's Plea To Increase The Number Of Vehicles Allowed To Rohtang Pass

Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has rejected an application to increase the number of vehicles from 1300 to 5000 allowed to travel to Rohtang pass due to concerns about environmental damage and climate change. The Him Anchal Taxi Union had filed an application to modify the Tribunal's 2015 order, which had limited the number of vehicles allowed in the Manali and Rohtang...

National Green Tribunal Directs Central Pollution Control Board To Prepare SOP For Establishment Of Petrol Depots

The Eastern Zone bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for establishment of petrol depots, on finding that there is no SOP with regard to the establishment of petrol depots apart from petrol pumps or retail outlets.The Tribunal was hearing the application filed by the resident of Sikkim Yodh...

National Green Tribunal Stays Construction Of Road In J&K’s Kund-Seoz Dhar Region To Prevent Environmental Degradation

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed a stay on the construction of a road in the area from Chatter Gala to Kailash Kund via Seoz Dha, Jammu & Kashmir until further notice, as adverse impact on the environment was alleged.The bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member) said that, “In view of the facts and circumstances of the...