Karnataka High Court Halts Further Construction Inside Cubbon Park

The Karnataka High Court on Monday restrained further construction of a building being built by the Karnataka State Government Employees' Association (KSGEA) in Cubbon Park while directing that another building, put up by the Horticulture Department for housing HOPCOMs, should not be occupied without leave of the court. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka...

Ganga Pollution: Allahabad High Court Seeks State's Response On Plea Alleging Severe Deterioration Of Water Quality

The Allahabad High Court on Friday sought responses from various State authorities in UP with respect to protection of river Ganga and the steps taken by it to ensure that the water quality of the river is not deteriorated. A Full Bench of the High Court comprising of Justices Manoj Kumar Gupta, Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar directed the concerned authorities to place the...

NGT Orders Constitution Of Oversight Committee For Removal Of Illegal Encroachments On Delhi Ridge

The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal recently constituted an Oversight Committee to look into the issue of encroachments and demarcation of land in the Delhi Ridge area which is declared as a reserved forest by the Lt. Governor of Govt. of NCT of Delhi in 1994. The directions came after the NGT was dealing with pending cases highlighting the concern of illegal...

NGT Issues Directions On Implementation Of E-Waste Management Rules By State PCBs And CPCB:

The Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently issued directions for the implementation of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 after observing that there were huge gaps in the compliance by the State Pollution Control Boards and local authorities, breaching their obligation of ensuring pollution free environment. The Tribunal came down heavily on State PCBs after noting...

Period From 1st April 2020 To 31st March 2021 Will Not Be Considered For Calculating Period Of Validity Of Prior Environmental Clearances: MoEF

The period from the 1st April, 2020 to the 31st March, 2021 shall not be considered for the purpose of calculation of the period of validity of existing Prior Environmental Clearances, the Ministry of Environment and Forests stated in a notification issued on Monday.This amendment of 2006 Environmental Impact Assessment notification is made taking into account the outbreak of Corona...

Plastic Pens Are Covered Under The Statutory Framework Of Plastic Waste Management Rules: National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal last week observed that plastic pens are covered under the meaning of "plastic" as provided in Rule 3(o) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2018 and therefore, they are also covered by the statutory framework of the said Rules. The bench also directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to finalize the Extended Producers'...

Supreme Court Takes Suo Moto Action On 'Remediation Of Polluted Rivers'; To Start With Yamuna - Read Order

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took suo moto cognizance on the issue of "remediation of polluted rivers".A bench comprising Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde, Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice V. Ramasubramanian observed that one of the major causes of water pollution was the discharge of non treated/ partially treated municipal waste and effluents of various States and cities....

National Green Tribunal (NGT) Yearly Round-Up 2020

Scientific Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste arising out of COVID-19 treatment The issue for consideration in this matter was the remedial action to address the gaps in compliance of the BMW Rules, 2016, as applicable to the disposal of bio-medical waste arising out of handling of COVID-19 disease, so as to ensure protection of environment and public health, in view of potential of such infectious waste adversely affecting public health, concerned workers and professionals etc. Disposal...

What Steps Are Being Taken To Protect Great Indian Bustard? Karnataka High Court Asks State Govt

The Karnataka High Court, recently issued notice to the state government and directed it to place on record the immediate steps it proposes to take for protecting, surviving bird species of the Great Indian Bustard, in the state. A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty gave the direction while hearing a petition filed by conversationalist Edward...

Centre Amends EIA 2006 Notification to Extend Validity Of Prior Environmental Clearance Expiring In Financial Year 2020-21

Taking into account the outbreak of Covid-19, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has amended the 2006 Environment Impact Assessment notification extending validity of prior environmental clearances expiring in Financial Year 2020-2021.The validity of prior environmental clearances granted whose validity is expiring in the Financial Year 2020-2021 shall deemed to be...

NGT Expands Scope Of Hearing In Case Against Use Of Firecrackers In Delhi NCR; Notices Issues To 18 States & UTs [Read Order]

The National Green Tribunal has decided to consider measures for improving the air quality in as many as 18 States and Union Territories, in addition to Delhi NCR. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel took the decision on Wednesday and expanded the scope of proceedings in a batch of petitions seeking remedial action against pollution by use of fire crackers...

NGT To Examine Whether Use Of Firecrackers Be Prohibited In Delhi-NCR From Nov 7-30 [Read Order]

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has decided to examine whether the use of firecrackers may be prohibited in the National Capital Region (NCR) from November 7 till November 30, 2020, in the interest of public health and environment. The Bench of Chairperson AK Goel, Judicial Member SK Singh and Expert Members SS Garbyal and Nagin Nanda has issued notices on an application filed by...