Latest news with #EnvironmentProtectionAct
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
CZMA initiates legal action against Vijaya Sai's daughter
Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority (APCZMA) has filed a case in the Bheemili court against Avyaan Realtors, owned by P Neha Reddy and P Rohit Reddy — the daughter and son-in-law of former MP P Vijaya Sai Reddy — for allegedly carrying out illegal constructions along Visakhapatnam's beach road near Bheemili without obtaining coastal regulation zone (CRZ) permissions. According to APCZMA's complaint, the accused constructed a concrete wall within the CRZ limits without prior approval, violating provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Although the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation partially demolished the wall up to ground level, underground remnants remain to be cleared. This legal action follows a public interest litigation (PIL No. 53/2024) filed in the high court by Janasena corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav. In response, the court directed authorities to enforce environmental regulations and ensure removal of unauthorised structures. The court confirmed the ongoing violations and ordered immediate demolition and restoration of the affected coastal stretch. Earlier, GVMC had issued provisional and final notices to the firm, instructing the removal of the illegal structure on the seaward side. After the company allegedly failed to comply, GVMC proceeded with demolition and said that it would recover the associated costs under the AP Municipal Corporation Act, 1955. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo by Taboola by Taboola A central inspection team from the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change is expected to visit the site to assess the environmental impact. For the uniformed, CRZ rules, framed under the Environment Protection Act, are designed to protect coastal ecosystems by restricting construction within a designated buffer zone from the high tide line. Any development in this zone requires explicit permission from CZMA and environmental clearance. However, observers point to possible lapses in enforcement and oversight by local authorities and urban planning departments when the structure was constructed without permissions.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Intensified campaign launched to prevent plastic pollution
Nandyal: In a major move towards environmental protection, the Nandyal district administration has launched an intensified campaign to eliminate plastic pollution under the Swarna Andhra – Swachh Andhra (SASA) initiative. District Collector G Rajakumari has announced a one-month deadline for reducing the usage of banned single-use plastic (SUP) items across the district on Saturday. The Collector urged the public, traders and institutions to adopt eco-friendly alternatives and support the campaign for a cleaner and greener environment. The Collector emphasised that after the one-month grace period, stringent legal action will be initiated against those involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution, usage and transportation of prohibited SUP products. Enforcement will be carried out by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), municipal bodies, panchayat departments, and other regulatory authorities. Action plans have already been drawn up to monitor violations and impose penalties as per established norms. As per the enforcement guidelines, manufacturers and importers of banned SUPs will face a fine of Rs 50,000 for the first offence, along with confiscation of the goods. Repeat offenders will be liable to pay Rs 1,00,000 in fines, face seizure of products and machinery, revocation of licenses, and prosecution under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Distributors, importers, and e-commerce platforms found storing or distributing SUPs will be penalised Rs 25,000 initially, with additional charges of Rs 10 per kg of plastic seized. A second violation will attract a Rs 50,000 fine and legal prosecution. Penalties for retailers and vendors are also clearly defined. Street vendors found selling banned plastics will be fined Rs 2,500 for a first offence and Rs 5,000 for repeat violations, which may also lead to business closure. Shops and commercial establishments will face fines of Rs 20,000 for initial violations and up to Rs 40,000 and licence cancellation for subsequent offences. Transportation of SUPs will also be closely monitored, with special enforcement teams imposing fines and seizing vehicles, if necessary. The administration has appealed to the public to strictly avoid banned plastics and warned that violators will face tough consequences.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Two siblings held with 325 reels of Chinese manjha
New Delhi: In a crackdown ahead of Independence Day, Delhi Police arrested two siblings from northeast Delhi's Sunder Nagri and seized 325 reels of banned Chinese manjha from their possession. The operation was carried out by a team from the Nand Nagri police station on July 18 as part of a special drive to curb the sale of the hazardous kite string. Acting on specific intelligence, a raid was conducted in the jhuggi area of Sunder Nagri, and two individuals — Samir (22) and his younger brother Shakir (18) — were apprehended from the spot. Police said the duo stocked the Chinese manjha in large quantities for illegal sale during the upcoming festive season. A case was registered under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Environment Protection Act. Further investigation is underway. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi On June 27, a youth on a scooter was killed in north Delhi when his throat was slit by a Chinese manjha. TNN
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Forest dept cracks down on illegal trade at Ropeway stn
Jaipur: The forest administration swung into action Thursday after TOI highlighted that fish spa and body massage shops were among several commercial operations being run illegally at the ropeway station connecting Annapurna Temple to Vaishno Devi Temple (Khole ke Hanuman Ji) in Jaipur — a site located on diverted forest land. Following a field inspection that revealed multiple violations of environmental and forest laws, the department removed all illegal activities mentioned in the report. A senior forest official said, "All the activities that were found to be illegal and operational were shut down by the team. A report was prepared and submitted to higher authorities." A source said, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) also took cognisance of the issue and directed the forest department to take appropriate action. The ropeway operator was granted permission to use 0.8735 hectare of forest land under strict conditions laid down by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. However, it was found that the operator was using more land than sanctioned, and several activities far beyond the approved scope were underway. In a detailed report dated July 7, the assistant conservator of forests (ACF) flagged at least fifteen major irregularities, terming them "a serious violation" of multiple laws — including the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; the Rajasthan Forest Act, 1953; the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; the Environment Protection Act, 1986; and the Rajasthan Ropeway Act, 1996. The ACF recommended legal action against the company and immediate enforcement of compliance with all applicable regulations to safeguard forest land, wildlife, and the surrounding environment. The inspection also found that high-risk adventure activities, such as a 360° zipline cycle ride, were being conducted for an additional fee without any legal clearance. Additionally, the use of plastic cups, plates, and packaging within forest premises was noted — a clear violation of environmental norms. Rajendra Tiwari, who runs an NGO working to protect the Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary, said, "As per the rules, the department should impose environmental compensation on private players for any construction carried out on forest land. If they fail to act, we will approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT)."
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Illegal commercial activities found at ropeway station on forest land in Jaipur
Jaipur: Fish spa and body massage shops are among several commercial operations being run illegally at the ropeway station connecting Annapurna Temple to Vaishno Devi Temple (Khole ke Hanuman Ji) in Jaipur, a site located on diverted forest land. A field inspection conducted by the assistant conservator of forests (ACF), Nahargarh Biological Park, revealed serious violations of multiple environmental and forest laws. The ropeway operator was granted permission to use 0.8735 hectares of forest land under conditions laid down by the ministry of environment, forest, and climate change. However, the field report — in possession of TOI — suggests that more land than sanctioned is being utilised, and a range of activities far beyond the scope of the original approval are underway. Calling the activities "a serious violation" of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Rajasthan Forest Act, 1953, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Rajasthan Ropeway Act, 1996, the ACF recommended legal action against the company and immediate enforcement of compliance with all applicable regulations to safeguard forest land, wildlife and the surrounding environment. In a detailed report dated July 7, the ACF flagged at least 15 major irregularities, including the unauthorised construction and operation of a restaurant where food is cooked using open flames, sale of plastic-packaged food items, overpriced bottled water, and the absence of a proper waste disposal system. High-wattage halogen lights were found installed at both the upper and lower ropeway stations, in violation of prescribed norms for forest areas. An official said, "The inspection also found that high-risk adventure activities like a 360° zipline cycle ride were being conducted for an additional fee, without any legal clearance. Moreover, the report noted the use of plastic cups, plates, and packaging within the forest premises — a clear contravention of environmental guidelines." Environmental activists have expressed alarm over the findings. "Running commercial spas, restaurants, and plastic-heavy food stalls inside a notified forest area is a direct violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act and other environmental laws. Such misuse of diverted land undermines the very objective of conservation. We will also take the matter to the NGT," said Rajendra Tiwari, who runs an NGO working to protect the Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
