#sustainable development

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Central Zone Bench, took suo moto cognizance of Bhopal's groundwater depletion crisis, directing the Central Ground Water Board to recommend urgent remedial measures to the Madhya Pradesh government. With groundwater exploitation at 79% and the city classified as semi-critical, the NGT emphasized the need for recharge structures and conservation of traditional water sources to prevent escalation to a critical zone.

NGT holds that construction on a listed wetland without environmental clearance violates Wetland Rules 2017 and EIA Notification 2006, directing NHAI to restore the damaged pond within six months. The ruling reinforces wetland protection norms and sets a precedent for infrastructure projects encroaching on ecologically sensitive zones.

NGT mandates urgent ground-level demarcation of Yamuna floodplains, rejecting delayed timelines and emphasizing compliance with Survey of India data for environmental protection.

Supreme Court holds that NGT may use project cost or turnover to quantify environmental compensation under polluter pays principle, provided it is rational and reasoned.