Maradu Flat Demolitions : Ex-Judge's Enquiry Holds Kerala Govt & Local Authorities Liable Besides Builders For Illegal Constructions

Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan in his report pertaining to the enquiry about the involvement of Builder/Promoter/persons/officials responsible for the illegal construction of the buildings in Maradu, Kochi, has concluded that apart from the builders, the Kerala Government, Maradu Grama Panchayat, Maradu Municipality, officials of the State Government and Local Self Government Institutions...

NGT Steps In On Concretization Of Storm Water Drain, Buffer Zone In Ghaziabad

In a major intervention ahead of monsoon, the National Green Tribunal has constituted a joint committee, comprising of NCR Planning Board, Central Pollution Control Board, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, District Magistrate and Nagar Nigam to furnish a factual and action taken report on the lining, covering and concretization of storm water drains in Navyug Market, Ghaziabad, within...

The 'Only One Earth' And Her Legal Rights: A Paradigm Shift From Anthropocentrism To Ecocentrism

Another World Environment Day passes with a grandeur theme "Only One Earth" focusing on "Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature". The theme and the harmony concept was celebrated across the globe , probably more in the social media at a time when reports made by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) state that environmental crime or ecocide is the fourth largest criminal enterprise after drug smuggling, counterfeiting and human trafficking. These reports find that...

Public Trust Doctrine Part Of Law Of Land ; Role Of State As Trustee Of Natural Resources More Relevant Today: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court observed that the Public Trust Doctrine is part of the law of land.The State also has to act as a trustee for the benefit of the general public in relation to the natural resources so that sustainable development can be achieved in the long term, the court observed.A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, BR Gavai and Aniruddha Bose observed thus while issuing...

Supreme Court Permits E-Rickshaws In Matheran As Pilot Project To Check Feasibility

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, permitted the State of Maharashtra to implement its proposal to introduce a few eco-friendly e-rickshaw in Matheran Eco-sensitive Zone, on an experimental basis, to check its feasibility to replace the hand-pulled rickshaws plying in the area. "...the Government is in consultation with the manufacturers and after a detailed study the State...

In Case Of Doubt, Protection Of Environment Would've Precedence Over Economic Interest: SC Revokes Approval For Doubling Castlerock to Kulem Railway Line

The Supreme Court revoked the approval granted by the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for doubling of existing railway line from Castlerock (Karnataka) to Kulem (Goa).The bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, B R Gavai and Aniruddha Bose observed that the assessment of the impact which the project would have on the environment..would have to be strictly...

NGT Bars Auroville Foundation From Township Construction Till Environmental Clearance Is Obtained

In a plea challenging the cutting of large number of trees by the Auroville Foundation for its development projects, The National Green Tribunal, Southern Zone, Chennai has directed the Auroville Foundation to prepare a proper township plan with respect to the area presently in its possession or the area of land visualized by the MOTHER and give details regarding the proposed ring...

Ghazipur Landfill Fire: NGT Says Dump Sites In Cities Are Like 'Time Bombs', Constitutes Joint Committee Headed By Former Delhi High Court Judge

Noting that the dump sites in Delhi and other cities are like time bombs, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken serious note of the recent fire incidents at Ghazipur Landfill site causing severe air pollution in the area.A bench headed by Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel also constituted a Joint Committee headed by Justice S.P. Garg, former Judge of the Delhi High Court with members...

Install Bird Diverters In Power Lines By July 20 : Supreme Court Directs Gujarat & Rajasthan To Protect Great Indian Bustard

The Supreme Court has directed the power producers in Gujarat and Rajasthan to take necessary steps to ensure timely completion of installation of bird diverters in power transmission lines to protect the endangered birds Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican from deaths due to collision.The Top Court also directed the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat as well as all power producers in...

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Project : Supreme Court Reconstitutes Oversight Committee

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reconstituted the expert committee formed by the National Green Tribunal to oversee the compensatory afforestation for the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway project by including additional members.The Court directed that the Chairperson of the Committee will be Mr.CP Goyal, Director-General of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. As per the NGT...

Supreme Court Asks Parties To Suggest Names Of Independent Experts To Be Included In Panel To Oversee Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Project

Responding to a contention that the twelve-member expert Committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal ("NGT"), to oversee that mitigation measures are effectively implemented by NHAI, lacks independent experts, the Supreme Court, on Friday, asked the Solicitor General of India and the Counsel appearing for Citizens for Green Doon, Mr Ritwick Dutta to provide a list...

[Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project] Supreme Court Approves Recommendation Of Central Empowered Committee To Not Clear Forest Cover

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, approved the recommendation of the Central Empowered Committee's ("CEC") made in its Report No. 6 of 2021 dated 23.04.2021, that instead of clearing canopy of virgin forest along a 10.5 km long corridor in the State of Goa, the 400KV electric lines in the Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project can be laid along the alignment of the existing powerline, which does...