New Delhi, Mar 23 (IANS):The National Green Tribunal directed a joint panel consisting of the Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution Authority (Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution Authority) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, to prepare a plan for remedial action in a plea alleging environmental violations that pose a danger to the Yamuna river or Taj Mahal.
Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, who was the head of the NGT’s principal bench, heard a plea against stone crushing and other industries in Agra district that violate environmental norms.
According to the petitioner, stone crushers also use groundwater by deep boring and without permission. They are not keeping a safe distance from the habitations. It said that pollution is adversely affecting public health and the environment, in addition to posing a threat to the Yamuna river or Taj Mahal.
A joint committee acted on the grievance and reported on February 22 that some units had been found operating, while others were not. They were extracting water from groundwater which is exempted under the state’s regulation of small industries. It was also discovered that only 16 of the 35 units were operational with valid consent from State Pollution Control Board. The remaining 19 units have been closed according to the State Pollution Control Board’s closure order.
It stated that Tantpur, Ghaskata & Gugaband’s village land is not very fertile and has rocky terrain. Therefore, red stone cutting and stone selling are the only businesses.
After hearing the submissions the tribunal stated that it was not satisfied with the report. The units in question might be small and fall in the Green Category as per the State PCB’s CPCB classification. While it is possible to help them in all legal means, it should not be at the expense of the right of all citizens to have access to potable water and a clean environment.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s order, the tribunal stated that permitting small-scale industries in Taj areas could also not be considered a violation for environmental norms. This is true even if the so called green category is not actually environmentally benign.
The green court ordered the concerned departments to meet within one month and create an action plan for remedial actions in relation to the ground situation to support the “Sustainable Development” principle.