#NGT

The National Green Tribunal invoked suo motu jurisdiction to order an inquiry into the illegal felling of thousands of trees in the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, including teak and saag. State agencies, including the Revenue Department and Forest authorities, have been directed to submit replies within six weeks, with impleadment of key officials mandated.

National Green Tribunal’s Central Zone Bench directs Indore Municipal Corporation to enforce a 29-point action plan under CPHEEO guidelines to address municipal water contamination in Indore, mandating pipeline replacement, GIS mapping, and third-party audits. The order follows a cholera outbreak linked to contaminated domestic water supply, emphasizing systemic infrastructure compliance and public health safeguards.

NGT Pune Bench quashed environmental clearance granted to M/s Deepak Chem Tech Limited for concealing interlinked linear infrastructure and project splitting in a 90 MW coal captive power plant. The ruling underscores the mandatory disclosure of interdependent projects and linear structures in EIA Form 1, setting a precedent for stricter compliance in industrial clearances.

The National Green Tribunal has ruled that for Ready-Mix Concrete plants, the mandatory distance from highways must be calculated from the actual emission source, not the property boundary. This sets a critical precedent for environmental compliance, forcing regulators to assess pollution impact at its origin and impacting future RMC plant approvals across India.

The National Green Tribunal Southern Zone has ruled that pet coke used as a carbon reductant in silicon carbide manufacturing under the Acheson process is not fuel and thus exempt from prohibition orders under environmental directives. This distinction protects specialized industrial processes while reinforcing the need for precise regulatory categorization of industrial inputs, directly impacting chemical manufacturers in Kerala and beyond.

NGT sets aside SEIAA's rejection of environmental clearance after finding reliance on incorrect coordinates in the District Survey Report, emphasizing strict adherence to procedural accuracy. The ruling mandates fresh consideration, reinforcing that geographical discrepancies cannot justify denial without rectification.

NGT Central Zone holds Alwar Nagar Nigam and District Magistrate liable for failing to operationalize the waste treatment plant for over four years, violating SWM Rules 2016. The tribunal mandates environmental compensation, completion of a mechanized transfer station, and issuance of a Consent to Operate (CTO) within deadlines, reinforcing the 'Polluter Pays Principle' for municipal bodies.

The National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone) ruled that industrial continuity hinges on strict compliance with environmental clearance and lease renewal conditions. The court directed Andhra Paper Mill to implement its approved effluent disposal plan and urged the East Godavari Collector to decide on the expired lease for Turupulanka discharge lagoons, emphasizing that non-compliance risks operational shutdowns and ecological harm.

NGT Western Zone rejects pre-1991 existence claims and forged documents, affirming demolition of eight illegal commercial structures in CRZ-III. The ruling reinforces strict compliance with Coastal Regulation Zone norms, impacting coastal development and environmental enforcement.

The National Green Tribunal ruled that supply chain gaps do not exempt thermal power plants from mandatory biomass co-firing under the CAQM Act. Panipat Thermal Power Station was held liable for ₹8.98 crore in environmental compensation, reinforcing that regulatory compliance cannot be circumvented by logistical challenges.

The National Green Tribunal invoked suo moto powers to launch an environmental investigation after a boiler blast at Vedanta’s Sakti plant killed 13 workers, ordering a joint technical committee to assess violations of environmental laws and recommend compensation. This sets a critical precedent for proactive environmental accountability in industrial disasters, even without a formal petition, reinforcing the NGT’s role as a guardian of ecological rights under the NGT Act, 2010.

NGT Pune rules that detailed disclosure of vegetation, including tree count, transplantation, and conservation measures in the Environment Clearance (EC) Form, defeats claims of misrepresentation. The judgment reinforces that compliance with procedural transparency in EC applications shields project proponents from allegations of suppressed data.

NGT rules that deemed environmental clearance under the EIA Notification 2006 is invalid if procedural requirements, including tree felling permissions, are not strictly followed. The ruling sets a precedent that illegal construction or tree felling nullifies any claim to deemed clearance, impacting real estate developers and environmental regulators.

NGT upholds Maharashtra Pollution Control Board’s calculation of Rs.64.8 lakh environmental damage compensation against a slaughterhouse for prolonged untreated effluent discharge, reinforcing strict liability for pollution control violations. The ruling mandates deposit of the amount for remedial measures, setting a precedent for polluters' financial accountability under environmental laws.

NGT Southern Zone rules that successor companies inherit environmental liability only if expressly assumed via contract or prior notice. The judgment shields new owners from penalties for pre-takeover violations, reinforcing the 'polluter pays' principle while balancing corporate transitions. Industrial acquirers and pollution control boards must now document liability transfers explicitly to avoid disputes.