new Delhi. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed a joint panel headed by the Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution Authority and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to provide a remedial action plan on a petition alleging threat of environmental violations to the Yamuna River and the Taj Mahal. ) has been instructed to prepare.
The principal bench of the NGT headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel was hearing a plea against operation of stone crushers and other such industries in Agra district with violation of environmental norms.
According to the petitioner, stone crushers are using groundwater by deep boring without necessary permission. They are neither keeping distance from habitations nor following such proper safe distance so that no harm is caused to the civilians. Apart from being a threat to the Yamuna River and the Taj Mahal, pollution is also adversely affecting public health and the environment, it said.
Acting on the complaint, a joint committee had reported on February 22 that some units were working, while some units were not functioning. They are extracting groundwater, which has been exempted from regulation by the state for small industries. It was also found that out of 35 units, only 16 units are functioning after obtaining valid consent from the State Pollution Control Board and the remaining 19 units are lying closed as per the closure order issued by the State Pollution Control Board.
It also states that since the village lands of Tantapur, Ghaskata and Gugaband are not very fertile and are rocky land, the business of cutting only red stone and selling stone pieces is carried on here.
After hearing all the arguments, the tribunal observed, “We are of the opinion that the above mentioned report is not complete. The units under consideration may be small in the Green category as per the classification of CPCB submitted by the State PCB. No one can help them by all legal means.” There should be no objection, but it should not be at the cost of other citizens’ right to access to potable water and clean environment, which includes conservation of groundwater for all.”
The tribunal cited the Supreme Court’s order to hold that allowing small industries in the Taj areas may not even mean violation of environmental norms, while the so-called green category is not really eco-friendly.
Accordingly, the Green Court asked the concerned departments to hold a joint meeting within a month and prepare an action plan for remedial action with regard to the situation on the ground to support the principle of ‘sustainable development’.
—AnyTV News
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