1. NGT action regarding Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary: Unauthorized mining
Tags: Environment place in news
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) intervened to address unauthorized mining in Odisha's Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
An Overview of the News
A complaint of unauthorized mining was raised in the eco-sensitive area of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
97 sand mining sites were given on lease near Similipal-Hadgarh-Kuldiha-Conservation Reserve, especially Sukhuapata Reserve Forest Area.
These mining activities violate the Forest (Conservation) Act, of 1980, and may harm the ecosystem and wildlife.
Reference was made to the Supreme Court judgment (Binay Kumar Dalai and others v. State of Odisha and others) which indicated that mining should take place only after implementing a comprehensive wildlife management plan and preserving the traditional elephant corridor.
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary:
Located in northeastern Odisha, adjacent to the Simlipal National Park.
Spread over 272.75 sq km, part of the moist deciduous forest region of the Eastern Highlands.
Connected to Simlipal National Park through Sukhupada and Nato hill ranges.
Sal trees dominate the mixed deciduous forests.
These include tigers, leopards, elephants, gaurs, sambars, giant squirrels, hill mynas, peacocks, hornbills, migratory birds, and reptiles.
Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve:
Part of Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve along with Simlipal and Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Local name: Tenda Elephant Reserve, provides protection to elephants.
2. Justice Sheo Kumar Singh becomes NGT acting chairman
Tags: Environment place in news
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The Central Government has authorized Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I, Judicial Member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), to act as the Chairperson of the Tribunal till a new Chairperson is appointed.
An Overview of the news:
- Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel who was appointed as the Chairman in July 2018; Retired on 6 July 2023.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a notification on 6 July 2023 authorizing Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I to act as the Chairperson.
- He was appointed as a judicial member of NGT in 2020. He is currently working as Judicial Member in the Central Zone Bench of Bhopal.
Career of Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I:
- Shri Singh-I graduated from Allahabad University in 1975.
- Passed out as a Law graduate from Allahabad University in the year 1978.
- Joined judicial service in 1984 and worked as District Judge, Registrar (Judicial) in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.
- He was appointed Supervisor of Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, Faizabad.
- He was elevated as a judge in Allahabad and served there till January 2018.
National Green Tribunal (NGT):
- India is the third (first developing) country in the world after Australia and New Zealand to set up a Special Environment Tribunal.
- Establishment: On 18th October, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
- Objective: To speed up disposal of environmental issues.
- Headquarters: Delhi (Four Regional Offices - Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai).
- Settlement of issues: Settlement of environmental issues within 6 months.
- Composition: Consists of Chairperson, Judicial Members and Expert Members.
- Appointment of Chairperson: By the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
- Tenure: Term of three years or till the age of sixty five years and not eligible for reappointment.
3. NGT slaps ₹10 crore penalty on Kerala government for failure to protect Ramsar sites
Tags: National News
The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has imposed a fine of Rs 10 crore on the Kerala government for failing to protect the Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes, listed as Ramsar sites.
An overview of the news
A principal bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said that as per the 'polluter pays principle', the fines imposed should be deposited in the ring-fenced account.
The tribunal said that the amount to be utilized under the authority of the chief secretary should be employed for conservation or restoration measures.
These wetlands have become polluted due to the accumulation of pharmaceutical waste, plastic waste, domestic waste and slaughterhouse waste.
Vembanad, the largest wetland ecosystem in Kerala was designated as a Ramsar site in the year 2002.
According to a study by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, the water holding capacity and ecology of Vembanad Lake has decreased by 85% in the last 120 years due to encroachment and destruction.
Ashtamudi Lake is home to many plant and bird species, which was included in the Ramsar list in August 2002.
Presently there is a problem of waste accumulation at this site.
What are Wetlands?
Wetlands are vital not only for the ecosystems but our climate, providing essential services such as water regulation, flood control, and water purification.
Wetlands are also capable of absorbing carbon dioxide.
Wetlands are called “Kidneys of the Earth”.
What are Ramsar sites?
A Ramsar site is a wetland site specifically designated for international importance as a waterfowl habitat under the Ramsar Convention.
Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental environment treaty established in 1975 by UNESCO.
Ramsar refers to wetlands of international importance in terms of site ecology, botany, zoology or hydrology.
National Green Tribunal
It deals with cases relating to the environment protection and conservation of forest.
It was set up in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by principles of natural justice.
New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.\
Chairperson : Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel
4. Odisha Government has started working on Sukapaika River revival plan
Tags: State News
The Odisha Government has started working on the Sukapaika River revival plan following a direction from the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Important facts
The Sukapaika river which stopped flowing 70 years ago is set to be rejuvenated as the Odisha government starts working on its revival plan.
About Sukapaika River
It is one of the several distributaries of the mighty Mahanadi river in Odisha.
The problem began in 1952, when the state government blocked the starting point of Sukapaika with an embankment to protect the surrounding villages from flooding.
Subsequently, in 1957, two major projects to control floods – Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur district and Naraj Barrage in Cuttack – were constructed upstream on the Mahanadi.
The river dried up due to the development of the Taldanda Canal System, a major canal in the state.
It rises from the Mahanadi at Ayatpur village in Cuttack district and flows for about 40 kilometers (km) before joining its parent river at Tarapur.
The Sukapaika River is an important system of the Mahanadi river for controlling flood waters and maintaining the flow along the river into the Bay of Bengal.
About Mahanadi River
It is the third largest of peninsular India after Godavari and Krishna, and the largest river of Odisha state.
The catchment area of the river extends to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
It originates near Sihawa in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh.
5. NGT impose a fine of Rs 2900 crore on Karnataka government for damaging the environment
Tags: Environment Science and Technology State News
A National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel has held the Karnataka government guilty of causing harm to the environment by its failure in management of solid and liquid waste.
The bench has fined the government Rs 2,856 crore for its failure in liquid waste/sewage management and Rs 540 crore for its failure in solid waste management.
The NGT said that the state government having already deposited Rs 500 crore the state will have to deposit Rs 2900 crore as fine in a separate fund within two months.
The fund will be under the Chief Secretary of the Karnataka government and will be utilized for the restoration of the environment.
The NGT in recent months has imposed fines on a number of states like Telangana, Punjab, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Delhi for their mismanagement of municipal waste.
The NGT is monitoring compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental aspects by the states and Union territories.
The National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010. It deals with matters related to environmental protection and conservation of forest.
Its headquarters is in New Delhi.
Chairperson of NGT : Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel
6. NGT fines Delhi government Rs 900 crore for its failure in ‘solid waste management’
Tags: Science and Technology State News
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an order passed on 12 October 2022 has ordered the Delhi government to pay Rs 900 crore as environmental compensation for improper management of solid municipal waste, stating that "citizens cannot be faced with an emergency situation due to lack of governance."
The NGT bench heard by Justice Adarsh Goel held the Delhi government responsible for not taking remedial steps to deal with the solid waste at the three landfills sites of Delhi- Ghazipur, Bhalswa, and Okhla .
The Bench said that there was continuous emission of methane and other harmful gasses along with groundwater contamination which posed a direct threat to the environment and people of Delhi.
The Bench directed the Delhi government to deposit the fine amount in a separate account which will be used by the Delhi Chief Secretary to for restoration of the environment by remediation of waste and other measures.
The NGT is monitoring compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other environmental issues by states and Union territories.
National Green Tribunal
- It deals with cases relating to the environment protection and conservation of forest.
- It was set up in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
- The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by principles of natural justice.
- New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.
Chairperson : Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel
7. NGT fines Telangana government 3,800 crore rupees for improper waste management
Tags: Science and Technology State News
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an order delivered on 1 October 2022 has imposed a penalty of ₹3,800 crore on the Telangana government for its failure to treat solid and liquid waste.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said huge gaps exist in the management of solid and liquid waste in the southern state.
Providing clean air, water, hygiene and environment have to be the top priorities for good governance, the bench said, adding that the state could not avoid its constitutional responsibility of providing a pollution-free environment.
The NGT said compliance would be the chief secretary's responsibility and directed him to file progress reports every six months.
The NGT is monitoring compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental aspects by the states and Union territories.
National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010. It deals with matters related to environmental protection and conservation of forest. Its headquarter is in New Delhi.
8. Punjab fined Rs 2180 crore by the NGT for its failure to treat waste
Tags: State News
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a penalty of Rs 2,180 crore on the Punjab government for its failure to treat solid and liquid waste, leading to a huge gap in their generation and treatment.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel said corrective action could not wait for an indefinite period and health issues could not be deferred for long.
It said the compliance of environmental norms on the subject of waste management had to be high on priority. The government has to provide funds for this purpose.
It asked the state government to deposit the fine amount in a separate fund which will be used to build infrastructure for treatment of waste.
The NGT is monitoring compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other environmental issues by states and Union territories.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
National Green Tribunal :
- It deals with cases relating to the environment protection and conservation of forest.
- It was set up in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
- The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by principles of natural justice.
- New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.\
- Chairperson : Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel
9. NGT imposes Rs 3,500 crore penalty on Bengal Govt for huge gap in waste management
Tags: Science and Technology State News
The National Green Tribunal(NGT) headed by Justice A K Goel has imposed a fine of Rs 3,500 crore on the West Bengal government for the huge gap in solid and liquid waste generation and treatment.
The NGT noted that out of 2,758 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage generation in urban areas and the treatment capacity of 1505.85 (MLD), only 1268 MLD is reported to be treated, leaving a huge gap of 1490 MLD.
The green panel said the state government does not appear to be prioritising setting up of sewage and solid waste management facilities though according to the state's budget for 2022-2023, there is provision of Rs 12,818.99 crore on Urban Development and Municipal Affairs.
Observing that health issues cannot be deferred to the long future, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said it is the constitutional responsibility of the state and the local bodies to provide a pollution free environment.
The state government will have to deposit the fine amount in a fund which will be used to construct the treatment plant for waste.
National Green Tribunal :
- It deals with cases relating to the environment protection and conservation of forest.
- It was set up in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
- The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by principles of natural justice.
- New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.
Chairperson: Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel
10. Environment Ministry notice to Telangana on Dindi lift irrigation project
Tags: State News
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has recently issued a show cause notice to the Telangana government seeking explanation on the execution of the Sri Ramaraju Vidyasagar Rao Dindi lift irrigation project without taking appropriate environmental clearance from the ministry.
- This was done by the Ministry after the Andhra Pradesh government lodged a complaint with the National Green Tribunal.
- Dindi is a tributary of River Krishna and the Dindi lift irrigation project is located in Nalgonda, Telangana.
- It was aimed to lift 30 tmcft (one thousand million cubic feet) water from the reservoir of Palamuru Rangareddy at Vattem to provide drinking water to fluorosis affected villages of Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar, and Khammam areas and to irrigate about 3.40 lakh acres.
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) was introduced in India in 1976-77 with respect to river development projects.
- Developmental activities like building of dams, power plants, setting up of Industries etc has a negative impact on the environment. To assess the damage done to the environment EIA was introduced.
- On 27 January 1994 the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest ,under the Environment (Protection) act 1986 promulgated an EIA notification making environment clearance mandatory for any projects mentioned in schedule I category A from the ministry. There are around 30 projects which need Environment Clearance form the Union Ministry after the EIA has been done .
- Andhra Pradesh complained that Telangana government has not sought environment clearance from the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment for river projects under schedule 1 .
- The projects mentioned in category B are to be cleared by the state government.
