18-07-2025
NGT recognises citizen's efforts in environmental protection, awards Rs 25,000 to ex-serviceman from Una
While recognising the efforts of a retired serviceman from Una in raising critical environmental concerns, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) to pay him Rs 25,000 out of the environmental compensation fund collected from defaulting industries.
The case stems from a petition sent by an ex-serviceman Manoj Kumar Kaushal, a resident of Kotla Kalan on Lower Takka Road in Una. His petition, sent via post in 2023, was treated as an original application by the tribunal. Kaushal had raised serious concerns about widespread environmental violations linked to the development of an industrial area in village Pandoga, Tehsil Haroli, in upper Una.
The Tribunal of Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi, Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad delivered the order on July 14. The order came in public domain on Friday.
Kaushal alleged that the setting up of industries in the region led to rampant cutting of hills and the felling of nearly 9,930 trees, severely impacting the local ecology. The promised Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) of 5 MLD capacity was yet to be constructed, he noted, which raised significant questions about wastewater management.
The tribunal impleaded various state and central authorities over the course of the hearings, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Divisional Forest Officer, and industrial project proponents. In response, the state forest department acknowledged that 7,781 trees were indeed felled and claimed that 67,100 trees were planted over 60.99 hectares as a compensatory afforestation. However, it failed to clarify whether any of this plantation was done near the industrial area or in designated greenbelt zones.
Expressing concern over the lack of transparency, the NGT directed the Forest Department to file an additional response detailing the locations and status of the plantation efforts, particularly in the project periphery.
The tribunal also allowed Kaushal to visit both the industrial and afforestation sites and directed the authorities to fully cooperate. It emphasised that members of the public who raise genuine environmental concerns play a critical role in environmental governance, particularly when institutional oversight fails.
'Divisional Forest Officer, Una Tehri Forest Division has mentioned that 7,781 trees were felled by HP State Forest Development Corporation Limited under the supervision of HP State Forest Department and 67,100 trees have been planted in land measuring 60.99 hectares and that an amount of Rs 8,24,77,95 was deposited by the user agency… out of which, an amount of Rs 77,40,900 was utilised for carrying out plantation as mentioned above,' the tribunal said.
The NGT observed that a public member pointing out serious environmental violations needs to be 'encouraged and appreciated' and an appropriate amount by way of litigation expenses also needs to be paid out of the amount of the environmental compensation imposed.
'We appreciate the efforts of the applicant in sending the present letter petition to this tribunal and in the facts and circumstances of the case we also consider that appropriate amount is required to be paid to the applicant for compensating him for the expenses in filing the application and attending the proceedings. Accordingly, an amount of Rs 25,000 is ordered to be paid to the applicant out of the amount of environmental compensation deposited with the HPSPCB. The HPSPCB is directed to pay an amount of Rs 25,000 to the applicant within one month as mentioned above,' the order held.
Meanwhile, Kaushal called the decision 'encouraging' for all civilians who have been struggling to protect the environment. 'The tribunal has acknowledged the individual efforts of the general public. The decision is also an encouragement for me,' he added.
