National Green Tribunal issues notices for non-compliance with river cleanup orders

NGT issues notices for non-compliance: States and Centre criticised for failing to clean polluted river stretches

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reprimanded the States and the Centre for failing to comply with its 2021 order to clean polluted river stretches. Notices have been issued to Chief Secretaries of all States and the Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS).

The 2021 order directed the establishment of functional Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to address gaps in sewage or effluent generation and treatment. The Ministry of Jal Shakti was tasked with devising a more effective monitoring mechanism for pollution control and river rejuvenation.

The NGT emphasised mission-mode compliance with timelines. In response to an execution application, the NGT noted non-compliance by states like Assam, Bihar, and Tripura, where inadequate sewage treatment capacities were reported. Assam lacks the facility to treat 437.23 MLD of sewage, and Tripura has a significant gap of 73.68 MLD in sewage treatment. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on December 13. (The Hindu)

Paddy stubble management policy is approved by the Haryana cabinet

The "Haryana Ex-Situ Management of Paddy Straw Policy-2023" has been approved by the Haryana cabinet to address the burning of crop residue by 2027. The policy emphasises utilising paddy straw for sustainable energy, luring in private capital, and forging close ties between farmers and industry. It dissuades harmful burning and provides a number of incentives to encourage the use of paddy straw.

The goal of the policy is to improve air quality, soil health, and employment opportunities, and it is consistent with the government's commitment to harness energy from paddy straw. Under the Haryana Bio-energy Policy-2018, which covers biomass-based power projects, biogas plants, ethanol production, and other biofuel initiatives, projects using paddy straw as a primary feed material are eligible for incentives.

For the management of paddy straw, farmers and organisations have access to subsidies on agricultural equipment. Interest on term loans will be subsidised for industries that use paddy straw. It will be possible to better coordinate demand and supply thanks to the establishment of an online linkage system between farmers, industries, and end users.

The department of new and renewable energy will coordinate the district-level mapping of paddy straw demand. MSMEs, such as the paper and brick industries, will profit from financial incentives for the adoption of biofuels. Projects based on paddy straw are eligible for incentives under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare's Central Sector Scheme.

According to guidelines from the Union ministry, all thermal power plants in Haryana will implement biomass co-firing, obtaining local biomass through an online system set up by the agriculture department. In cooperation with other relevant departments, the department of new and renewable energy will take the lead on policy implementation. (The Hindustan Times)

Uttar Pradesh seeks time to update National Green Tribunal on Dhanauri wetland protection

The Uttar Pradesh government has requested a four-week extension to update the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the status of notifying or providing legal protection to the Dhanauri wetland in Greater Noida. This wetland is a critical habitat for 23 endangered bird species, including the sarus crane.

Despite the Union environment ministry's directives between 2019 and 2022 to declare Dhanauri as the Balmiki Ramsar Wetland and Sarus Sanctuary/Conservation Reserve, the UP government has delayed the process. An application filed with the NGT alleges non-compliance with the Supreme Court's directions and rules governing wetlands conservation.

The UP government’s response is pending. Dhanauri is home to over 217 bird species, recognised as an Important Bird Area by Bird Life International, and is known for hosting over 50,000 waterfowls during peak migratory seasons. The NGT's next hearing on the matter is awaited, stressing the urgency of declaring the wetland to protect its biodiversity and implement conservation plans. (The Hindustan Times)

NGT revokes approval for biomedical waste treatment unit over environmental concerns

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has overturned the "consent and authorisation" granted to a biomedical waste treatment unit in Samwai village, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, citing environmental concerns. The NGT criticised the Chief Environmental Officer (CEO) of the state for granting "unauthorised permission," stating it exceeded his jurisdiction and violated laws.

The petitioner alleged that the unit, located close to homes, was responsible for "unhygienic and unsanitary living conditions," with emissions causing health hazards. The NGT bench, headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, noted that the Consolidated Consent and Authorisation (CCA) had not been granted by the competent CEO.

CEO Pradeep Sharma, the competent authority for Agra district, had rejected the unit's application on July 13 due to non-compliance with environmental norms. Instead of appealing, the company submitted a fresh application within 14 days to another CEO, Vivek Roy, who had jurisdiction over a different area. Roy granted permission on July 27, 2023, without proper jurisdiction.

The NGT deemed Roy's actions illegal, stating that he exceeded his jurisdiction and violated laws. Roy failed to provide a response on how he accessed the file from the UPPCB portal and granted permission. The NGT's decision highlights the importance of adherence to environmental norms and proper jurisdiction in waste treatment facilities to prevent adverse impacts on local communities and the environment. (Press Trust of India)

NGT expert panel urges island-specific sustainable tourism policies to combat climate change effects

An expert panel formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has proposed island-specific sustainable development and tourism policies to address the challenges posed by rising sea levels and global warming. The Principal Bench of the NGT established the committee in response to a suo motu notice taken after The Hindu published a report titled ‘India’s sinking islands’ on March 19, 2023. The report highlighted the threats faced by several of the country's 1,382 islands from cyclonic storms, sea erosion, and new development projects.

The expert panel, comprising representatives from institutions such as CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, recommended diversified economic development, controlled nature-based growth, and blue-economy-based activities on marine and coastal fronts. The panel's report, submitted on October 10, also proposed climate-resilient practices for livelihoods on the islands and measures for nature-based ecosystem restoration.

Specific recommendations included installing GPS/GNSS stations to estimate vertical land motion, actions for coral reef protection, monitoring of shoreline change rates, and the construction of coastal structures to safeguard highly eroded shoreline zones. The committee further called for a nationwide island assessment study to understand the accurate vulnerability of coastal areas, emphasising the need for field-based topographic surveys to map island inundation under different climate change scenarios.

Research findings presented by various agencies indicated the vulnerability of all islands in Lakshadweep to sea-level rise, with the capital, Kavaratti, projected to experience inundation along larger areas of the coastline under various emission scenarios. The NGT's expert panel aimed to address the pressing climate risks faced by the country's islands, fostering sustainable practices for their development and tourism in the face of climate change challenges. (The Hindu)

This is a roundup on important policy updates from 1st October to 15th October 2023.