Supreme Court condemns unauthorised tree felling in Aravallis

SC orders probe into illegal tree felling in Delhi Ridge, criticises DDA for environmental damage

The Supreme Court (SC) recently instructed the Forest Survey of India to investigate the number of trees felled in the Southern Delhi Ridge sector of the Aravallis since February 16, 2024 for an 11km road project. The court expressed dismay that tree felling began before the forest ministry’s preliminary permission on March 1, 2024. The SC criticised the Delhi Development Authority (DDA’s) vice-chairperson, calling the continued felling criminal contempt of court, as SC had previously denied DDA permission.

The tree felling in Delhi’s Ridge Area is being conducted with blatant disregard. Authorities in the National Capital Region, encompassing Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana, regularly bypass SC orders, collaborating with land mafias and illegal mining groups to devastate the Aravallis and Delhi Ridge. The DDA, responsible for urban planning in Delhi, is culpable for deliberate environmental damage.

The SC's directive for DDA to plant 100 trees for every one felled is futile. Compensatory afforestation commodifies trees and fails to restore ecosystems. It leads to monocultures that cannot replace the rich biodiversity of natural forests. This approach ultimately results in the irreversible loss of entire ecosystems, making afforestation an inadequate solution. (The Times of India)

Uttarakhand faces severe water crisis: Government enforces conservation measures

Six Uttarakhand cities, including Dehradun, are experiencing a severe water crisis as summer temperatures soar. Lower rainfall and snowfall this winter have exacerbated the issue, prompting the state government to ban car washing with water. During a virtual meeting, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed all District Magistrates to ensure cars are "dry washed" in workshops.

Secretary Arvind Hyanki reported that 317 villages and 148 urban localities face severe water shortages, with major complaints from Dehradun, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Didihat, Kotdwar, and Champawat. Other affected areas include Nawada, Haripur, Majri Mafi, Mohkampur, and Badripur, where residents rely on water tankers.

NK Gusain, a leader urged quick resolution, criticising the Jal Nigam for failing to provide water in some areas despite laying connection lines years ago. The state government identified declining water flow in 10 rivers and tasked District Magistrates with creating action plans to revive them. They are also to identify additional rivers that might need revival.

Uttarakhand will participate in a national water conservation campaign from June 1 to June 7, coinciding with World Water Day on June 1. The theme for Water Day 2024 is "Water for Peace." Chief Minister Dhami emphasised the importance of water conservation, calling for rainwater harvesting and solar energy installations in government buildings to address ongoing drinking water challenges. (Mint)

NGT seeks answers on Dal Lake's environmental decline

The NGT has demanded responses from several authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, regarding the deteriorating condition of Dal Lake in Kashmir. The tribunal, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, acted on a media report highlighting the lake's decline due to municipal sewage, pollution, and urbanisation, affecting the Hanji people living in houseboats.

The report noted that sewage has severely impacted the lake, once a source of drinking water, which is now unfit even for washing. It mentioned that 70% of Srinagar's sewage flows into the lake, overwhelming the sewage treatment plants (STPs). This has led to the destruction of fish, adversely affecting the Hanji community's livelihood.

In an order dated May 8, the NGT stated that the report raised significant environmental compliance issues. It included several authorities as respondents, such as the vice-chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority, member secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board, the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, and the Srinagar deputy commissioner. The tribunal instructed these respondents to file their responses at least a week before the next hearing on August 21. (The Times of India)

NGT demands detailed report on Hindon river pollution from UPPCB

The NGT has granted the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) two weeks to submit an additional report on the pollution of the Hindon river and the actions taken against municipal bodies responsible. The NGT had previously ordered the UPPCB to initiate criminal proceedings against officers in charge of the municipal bodies of Saharanpur, Baghpat, Meerut, Shamli, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, and Muzaffarnagar for failing to prevent river pollution.

Hindon is a major water source for these seven districts. In a recent order, the NGT, led by Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava, noted the UPPCB's May 3 report. The UPPCB counsel mentioned ongoing prosecutions against officers of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority but did not address other municipal bodies, prompting the counsel to request more time for instructions.

The NGT expressed dissatisfaction, emphasising that the UPPCB should comply with the directive to initiate criminal proceedings without hesitation. The tribunal criticised the UPPCB for not clearly stating any non-compliance or reasons for it in their report.

The NGT also highlighted that, although the tribunal ordered criminal proceedings against all 357 industries discharging pollutants into the river, action was only taken against three. The report lacked details on water quality of the Hindon river and its tributaries, the performance of 19 sewage treatment plants, and the number of untapped drains in the districts. It noted that the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) at the end of the Hindon river was alarmingly high at 20 milligrams per liter, indicating severe pollution.

The tribunal directed the UPPCB to provide detailed water quality analyses of the STPs and the river Hindon in their next report. The matter is scheduled for further proceedings on July 11. (The Print)

NGT seeks response from Karnataka and Centre on neglected Bengaluru lakes

The NGT, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, has taken suo motu cognizance of a report on the neglect of Bengaluru's lakes, which has exacerbated the city's water crisis. The NGT has issued notices to the Karnataka government and the CPCB for their alleged neglect and unscientific rejuvenation of these lakes.

The tribunal has requested responses from the Karnataka Tank Conservation & Development Authority, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bengaluru Urban District Deputy Commissioner, and CPCB. The NGT highlighted that Bengaluru faces a severe water crisis, with 257 potential water-stressed areas identified by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Contributing factors include plummeting reservoir levels, increased borewell drilling, lake encroachments, below-average rainfall, and higher temperatures.

The NGT emphasised that neglect and poor rejuvenation practices have diminished the lakes' water-holding capacity, groundwater recharge, and flood mitigation abilities. Encroachments and untreated sewage further aggravate the situation, reducing water availability and disrupting the ecological balance. The case has been transferred to the NGT's Southern Bench and is scheduled for a hearing on July 12. (Deccan Herald)

Supreme Court urges unified efforts to safeguard forests from wildfires

The Supreme Court emphasised the importance of protecting forests from the hazards of wildfires, noting that the ongoing litigation regarding forest fires in Uttarakhand is not adversarial. Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta highlighted the unanimous interest in safeguarding forests. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Uttarakhand, informed the court about various measures taken, including equipment provision for firefighting and incentives for villages with no fire incidents.

However, concerns were raised about the effectiveness of these measures. Images showing forest guards using banana leaves to douse fires prompted questions about equipment distribution. The court stressed the need for proactive measures and expressed dissatisfaction with delayed responses.

The bench acknowledged the state's efforts but emphasised the need for a permanent solution. It appreciated the chief secretary's personal involvement and assured efforts to address the issue promptly. The court also discussed the utilisation of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds and vacancies in the forest department.

Solicitor General Mehta addressed concerns regarding vacancies, deployment of forest personnel for election duties, and initiatives for electricity generation from pine needles. He pledged collaborative efforts with the state and other stakeholders to devise effective strategies.

The court commended the shared commitment to forest protection and scheduled further hearings in September. The status report submitted by the state outlined fund allocations for firefighting and prevention measures for the upcoming years, highlighting ongoing efforts to mitigate forest fire risks. (Deccan Herald)

This is a roundup of important policy updates from 1st May to 15th May, 2024. Read our news updates here.