By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The National Green Tribunal in India has brought out a new dynamic functioning style to address environmental disputes in 2021.
The NGT cracked the whip on industrial units causing pollution and stressed on cleaning of the Ganga and the Yamuna.
With courts switching to the virtual mode in the wake of COVID-19, the NGT continued to hear the cases through video conferencing and it even advanced its summer vacation for 2021 in the light of exponential surge in coronavirus cases in April and May.
Based on water quality data, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identified 351 polluted river stretches and rejuvenation plans were prepared according to the directions of NGT and with a view to bring water quality of these rivers to at least bathing level.
On the issue of pollution, the tribunal said water quality remains highly deteriorated as pollutants are still being discharged into the drains.
It rapped the authorities in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh over discharge of polluted water in the Yamuna saying they are meant to protect the public health and environment and not just enjoy position and perks.
The tribunal also took suo moto cognisance of matters relating to industrial accidents which resulted in fatalities and injuries.
Pan-India directions were issued in various matters ensuring prevention of industrial accidents, putting on-site and off-site disaster management plan in place, assessing environmental compensation and formulation of restoration of plan.
It also slapped a penalty Rs 20 crore on four units of Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd and Rs 10 crore on a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Uttar Pradesh for violation of environmental norms.
On non-compliance of safety norms by industries dealing with hazardous chemicals, the NGT directed the Kurnool administration in Andhra Pradesh to take remedial steps to restore the damage caused to the environment due to ammonia gas leak accident at Nandyal.
It also held that plastic pens are covered under Plastic Waste Management Rules and directed the environment ministry to finalise the Extended Producers Responsibility regime.
With respect to biomedical waste management, the tribunal directed all facilities across the country to obtain authorisation from state pollution control boards while directing the CPCB to ensure strict compliance of Bio Medical Waste Management Rules.
Source: Economic Times
