Down To Earth brings you top environmental cases heard in Supreme Court, high courts & National Green Tribunal
Trenching ground filled with solid waste and garbage in North 24 Parganas a health hazard
The eastern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a three-member committee to look into the allegations of a trenching ground filled with night soil (untreated human faeces), carcasses, garbage and solid waste which is situated in Ramchandrapur under Panihati municipality, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
The committee will visit the site and submit a report on affidavit within four weeks. The district magistrate of North 24 Parganas will be the nodal office for all logistic purposes and for filing the report of the committee on affidavit, NGT said in the order May 27, 2024.
The application filed by the applicant (Ramchandrapur Kalyan Samity & Others) alleged that the waste-filled ground is located at the heart of the densely populated Ramchandrapur.
The inhabitants are suffering from acute health hazards and incurable diseases due to the existence of the trenching ground, which is also polluting the surrounding air, water and the environment in general. It puts the life of the residents in danger, the applicant alleged.
The NGT directed the state of West Bengal, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board and Panihati Municipality to file their counter affidavits within four weeks.
Illegal mining in Aravali, Sikar
The central zone bench of NGT in Bhopal said May 24 that the complaint of illegal mining within the area of Aravali hills in Sikar district, Rajasthan is serious and directed notices be issued to the respondents.
This includes the state of Rajasthan through the district magistrate, Sikar; the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board; mining officer, Sikar; and persons who are involved in the illegal mining and transportation in the western state. The respondents were directed to submit their reply within six weeks.
The court also asked for a report on the matter from a joint committee comprising a representative each from the district magistrate of Sikar and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. The committee has been directed to visit the place and submit the factual and action taken report within six weeks.
The petition highlighted that illegal mining is taking place in khasra no 80, which falls under the Aravalli region in Ballupura village, Khora Gram Panchayat, Danta Ramgarh tehsil, Sikar. This, the applicant stated, is despite the Supreme Court order prohibiting mining within the area of Aravali hills.
New petrol pump in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh flouts CPCB guidelines
NGT May 27 called for a report from a three-member joint committee on the issue of non-compliance of guidelines in the establishment of a petrol pump in Shriram Nagar, Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh. The committee, after visiting the place, will submit the factual and action taken report within six weeks.
The new petrol pump was set up flouting the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines issued in the letter dated January 7, 2020 as well as an NGT order. Considering the adverse effect of petrol pumps on the environment, CPCB had directed oil marketing companies to ensure that fuel stations are at least 50 metres away from schools, hospitals and residential areas and to install vapour recovery system at new fuel stations with a sale potential of 300 kilo litres motor spirit per month, the applicant noted.
In response to the petition, NGT directed the district magistrate of Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh; the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board; municipal corporation of Dhamtari and the Indian Oil Corporation, Raipur to submit their reply within six weeks.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
