#NGT jurisdiction

The National Green Tribunal has mandated that all petrol retail outlets must be situated at least 50 metres away from irrigation canals to prevent contamination of water sources and protect agricultural livelihoods. This ruling enforces the Central Pollution Control Board’s environmental siting standards and sets a binding precedent for state authorities issuing NOCs near water bodies.

The National Green Tribunal Southern Zone has ruled that ecological integrity demands a 30-meter buffer around Byalakere Lake, superseding Karnataka’s statutory minimum of 12 meters. This sets a precedent for judicial enforcement of environmental buffers beyond legislative thresholds, binding urban development authorities and state agencies to prioritize hydrological preservation over zoning convenience.

NGT Southern Zone rules that final closure orders under the Water and Air Acts override expired 'consent to operate' for industries violating environmental norms. The judgment reinforces that regulatory compliance cannot be bypassed by procedural lapses, setting a precedent for enforcement against industries operating on non-conforming land.

NGT Southern Zone directs immediate bio-mining of 18-year-old unsegregated waste dumped in a Kerala quarry, holding the local panchayat and state authorities liable for environmental restoration. The Rs. 60 lakh compensation must be utilized strictly for remediation, reinforcing compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 and local body accountability for legacy dumping sites.

The National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone) ruled that a polluter’s isolated corrective action after effluent discharge does not exempt it from penalties if ongoing violations persist. The judgment underscores TNPCB’s duty to enforce continuous environmental compliance, not just post-facto remediation, impacting industries and pollution control boards across India.

The National Green Tribunal holds that individuals cannot directly approach it with generalized pollution complaints without first filing formal grievances with the pollution control board.

National Green Tribunal holds that isolated stack emission spikes do not justify closure of industry; compliance with Consent to Operate and ambient standards prevails over speculative health claims.

NGT holds that challenge to a consequential tree felling order becomes infructuous once work is completed, reinforcing procedural limits on appellate remedies under the Forest (Conservation) Act.

NGT holds that illegal industrial encroachments violating development regulations can trigger jurisdiction under EPA, 1986 if they cause or apprehend environmental harm, even if underlying laws are not in Schedule I.

National Green Tribunal initiates suo moto action against Chhattisgarh for supplying sewage-contaminated water, affirming the right to clean water as part of Article 21 and environmental duty.

NGT holds unauthorised sewage discharge as continuing environmental nuisance under Water Act, 1974. Builders can seek relief for construction delays caused by pollution.

National Green Tribunal holds that concealment of forest land in environmental clearance applications invalidates approval, mandating MoEFCC to re-examine compliance with FRA and EPA.

National Green Tribunal holds that public authorities cannot remain passive toward encroachments on wetlands; custodianship of state land imposes non-delegable duty to act.

National Green Tribunal mandates detailed disclosures from local bodies on encroachments, waste management, and effluent compliance in River Shipra pollution case, reinforcing statutory obligations under SWM Rules, 2016.

National Green Tribunal mandates immediate removal of encroachments and cessation of untreated sewage discharge into Ujjain's Sapta Sagar, affirming state's non-delegable duty under environmental law.