NGT Holds Karnataka Govt Liable For Causing Damage To Environment Directs To Pay Compensation Of Rs 10 Lakh [Read Order]

Holding the Karnataka State Government and the Municipal Council Bommasandra, liable for causing damage to the environment by not taking steps to prevent flow of untreated sewage into the Kithiganahalli lake. The National Green Tribunal has directed them to pay an interim, ad-hoc compensation of Rs 15. A bench of Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said; "There is huge damage by...

Karnataka HC Stays Further Steps On Decision To Divert Forest Land For Hubbali-Ankola Railway Line

Observing that "This is a classical case of how board is influenced," the Karnataka High Court on Thursday by way of interim relief directed that no further steps shall be taken on the decision taken by the State Board for Wildlife to allow diversion of 595.64 hectares of forest land for constructing railway line between Hubballi and Ankola. A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka...

'A City Doesn't Become Smart City By Occupying Parks': Karnataka HC Prohibits Constructions In Nehru Maidan at Mangalore

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday directed that there will be a complete prohibition on construction of any building or structure inside the Nehru Maidan at Mangalore.The Court observed "don't convert a city into smart city by occupying parks".It added :"A judicial notice will have to be taken that open spaces like parks and playgrounds are destroyed over time. Citizens have the...

NGT Registers Suo Motu Case Over Pregnant Elephant Death Issue [Read Order]

The National Green Tribunal has registered a suo motu case regarding the incident of a pregnant elephant allegedly killed in Silent Valley Forest in Kerala. The news that a pregnant wild elephant in Silent Valley Forest had fallen victim to an act of human act of using explosive substance kept in a Pineapple which was consumed inadvertently by it had generated huge outrage. The...

World Environment Day – Isn't Every Time A #timefornature?

While COVID-19 has proliferated across all parts of the world, the present times are unprecedented in India as it reports record spike in cases and simultaneously grapples with cyclones, locust attacks, floods and earthquakes. Today, we are posed with the greatest humanitarian crisis and if we further neglect our nature and environment, it could be the death knell for biodiversity and, with it, humanity's life support systems. In this context, with the environment having some downtime, the...

[Vizag Tragedy] NGT Says It Has The Power To Take 'Suo Motu 'Cognizance Against Environment Law Defaulters [Read Order]

The National Green Tribunal on Monday held that it has the power and jurisdiction to institute suo moto proceedings against environment law defaulters and it thus held that the orders passed by the Tribunal against South Korean company LG Polymers in a suo moto case registered against the fateful incident of chemical gas leak at Vizag in Andhra Pradesh, are not illegal. The...

Karnataka HC To State How Will You Ensure Lakes Are Clean Post Lockdown [Read Order]

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the state government and asked about the steps it will take to ensure that Bellandur, Varthur lakes and Vrushabati river are kept clean as they stand today due to reduce pollution in view of the lockdown. A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar gave the direction whe hearing a public...

Vizag Gas Leak : SC Refuses To Issue Notice On LG Polymer's Challenge Against NGT Constituting Committee

The Supreme Court refused to issue notice on a plea filed by LG Polymers against the order passed by NGT which directed the South Korean company to pay 50 crores and constituted a fact-finding committee.The apex court asked the company to raise questions regarding jurisdiction of the NGT before the Tribunal itself.The following Order was passed by the Bench comprising Justices U U Lalit, Mohan...

Vizag Gas Leak: 'Strict Liability' Or 'Absolute Liability'?

On Friday, the National Green Tribunal ordered LG Polymers to deposit Rs. 50 Crores with the District Magistrate, Vishakhapatnam, in connection to a major leak of Styrene gas from its polymer plant situated in RR Venkatapuram village.However, the NGT observed in the order that the situation attracted the principle of "strict liability"."Leakage of hazardous gas at such a scale...

Bombay HC Ask MoEF "Can Vehicles Carrying Essential Supplies Be Allowed Inside Matheran An Eco-Sensitive Zone During Lockdown" [Read Order]

The Bombay High Court has asked the Ministry of Environment and Forest to inform whether vehicles carrying essential items for local residents be allowed inside Matheran hill station an eco-sensitive zone, during the lockdown period. Justice S C Gupte has asked the ministry and state government to respond to the plea filed by former Member of Legislative Assembly, Suresh Lad by...

[BREAKING] Vizag Gas Leak: NGT Directs LG Polymers To Deposit Rs 50 Crores; Constitutes 5 Member Committee For Probe[Read Order]

In a suo moto case registered against the fateful incident of chemical gas leak at Vizag in Andhra Pradesh, the National Green Tribunal has constituted a five-member Committee to inspect the site and submit a report to it within ten days. A bench comprising of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Chairperson; Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Judicial Member and Dr. Nagin Nanda, Expert Member have also...

NGT Takes Cognizance Of Vizag Gas Leak Tragedy; To Hear Matter Tomorrow

The National Green Tribunal has taken cognizance of the tragedy caused by chemical gas leak at Vizag in Andhra Pradesh.A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel will take up on Friday the matter titled "In re: Gas Leak at LG Polymers Chemical Plant in RR Venkatapuram Village Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh".An NGO, Centre for Wildlife and Environmental Litigation Foundation,...