Latest news with #NationalGreenTribunal
Time of India
15 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Fencing, signage revamp to help protect Yamuna floodplain: DDA
New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will restore and renovate Yamuna signage boards from Wazirabad Barrage to NH-24 on both banks of the river. Officials indicated the initiative aims to clearly mark the floodplain surrounding the northern ridge. The DDA is also implementing a steel fencing project covering 11km of the Yamuna floodplain from Wazirabad Barrage to ITO Barrage to safeguard the environmentally critical zone from unauthorised occupation. The selected contractor is expected to complete the Rs 18 crore project within four months. This action is part of a comprehensive strategy to preserve and safeguard the floodplain. In April, DDA reported to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) about recovering 24 acres of occupied land under the Yamuna Vanasthali project between Jan and April. The initiative will secure restored floodplain areas like Yamuna Vatika, Asita and other vacant patches on both eastern and western banks. A tender has been floated for this, the authority said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The DDA has established various recreational facilities on the Yamuna floodplain over the previous two years, including parks and cafes, along the 22-km river stretch between Wazirabad Barrage and Okhla Barrage. The developments comprise Asita East and West and Kalindi Aviral, encompassing Baansera Park, Vasudev Ghat, Amrut Biodiversity Park and Yamuna Vatika near Rajghat, spanning 740 hectares in total. The current Yamuna Vanasthali initiative — a floodplain restoration project on the eastern bank — extends from Wazirabad Barrage to Sarai Kale Khan ISBT Bridge, covering 236.5 hectares. The DDA intends to create connections between all existing and future parks situated along the Yamuna floodplain.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Neelakurinji Bloom: No Proposals From Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka to Declare It a Threatened Species
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka have not proposed declaring neelakurinji a threatened species under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, says Botanical Survey of India Despite neelakurinji's famed 12-year bloom cycle and declining populations, Tamil Nadu , Kerala and Karnataka have not proposed declaring it a threatened species under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday. The NGT had in Aug 2024 registered a suo motu case based on a report that neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) had been identified as Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) under the IUCN Red List following its first-ever global assessment. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The NGT noted that the endemic shrub of the southwest Indian montane grasslands was reported to have lost almost 40% of its habitat, with remaining areas threatened by tea and softwood plantations, invasive eucalyptus and black wattle species, urbanisation, infrastructure projects, afforestation programmes, and climate change. Peermade in Kerala was cited as one of the locations where recent blooming was reported. The Tribunal directed BSI, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, and the ministry of environment, forest and climate change to respond and assist in determining whether environmental and biodiversity laws were being complied with in the context of neelakurinji conservation. In its submission on July 15, BSI stated that though neelakurinji has been reported as vulnerable globally, no formal proposal from any state, including Tamil Nadu, has been received to notify it as threatened under national law. BSI disputed reports of a 40% population decline, asserting that no conclusive scientific data exists to support that figure and indicated the need for a comprehensive reassessment across affected habitats. Contrary to the long-held view that neelakurinji grows at elevations between 1,340m and 2,600m, BSI pointed routecent field records show the plant grows at altitudes as low as 1,100m, a habitat shift that warrants closer investigation. BSI also said most subpopulations remain fragmented, with some having fewer than 500 plants, and that factors such as habitat loss, declining pollinator interactions, and the long 12-year flowering cycle continue to threaten the species. It confirmed that neelakurinji occurs in more than 34 locations, many outside protected areas, including on revenue land, further complicating conservation strategies.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai Metrowater adds another sewage treatment plant to restore Villivakkam lake, supply recycled water
Chennai Metrowater will add one more sewage treatment plant with ultra filtration unit at Villivakkam by September. This would help rejuvenate Villivakkam lake and supply treated water for non-potable purposes through tankers. The upcoming Rs.17.90 crore plant would align with Chennai Metrowater's mission to shift towards the circular water economy where wastewater is recycled to minimise freshwater consumption. With a capacity to treat five million litres a day (mld) of sewage, a tertiary treatment plant using ultrafiltration (TTUF) is being established to maintain the standard of reclaimed water for potable use. Officials of the Metrowater recalled that the project was rolled out under Singara Chennai 2.0 as part of the restoration plan of the Villivakkam lake. This followed a directive of the National Green Tribunal. Nearly 75% of the work to construct a plant has been completed so far on a three-acre site near the lake. It would collect sewage from SIDCO Nagar pumping station, treat it and use a portion of treated water for gardening. The remaining recycled water would be disinfected by the ozonation process and discharged into Villivakkam lake. Residents of Villivakkam noted that it was a welcome initiative to restore the lake, which was heavily polluted. However, the project to rejuvenate the lake with recreational facilities is yet to be completed. a resident of Sannithi Street, Villivakkam, said the water agency must also improve the sewer infrastructure in SIDCO Nagar and streets like Kulakkarai Street to prevent sewage overflow. The water agency also plans to construct a filling point near the site to supply treated water for non-potable purposes, including construction, laundry and automative washing, through lorries. Listing out advantages of membrane bioreactor technology in the upcoming STP, J.R. Moses, Chief Executive Officer, Hubert Enviro Care Systems, which is implementing the project, said it had more advantages over conventional systems as it delivered better wastewater quality suitable for direct reuse and produced less sludge. This compact technology boasts a reduced footprint, making it ideal for urban areas with limited space. It can be highly automated, simplifying operations and maintenance, he said. The water agency looks to construct more such plants to recharge water bodies and increase the source for domestic supply. There are plans to step up the treatment capacity to 10 mld at Villivakkam in the next phase.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Trees axed without approval? NGT serves notice to agencies in Haryana
Gurgaon: Months after the sarpanch of Arua in Faridabad's Ballabhgarh tehsil allegedly cut down 150-200 trees "without obtaining requisite permissions" from the competent authorities or approval from the forest department, multiple notices were issued by National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the tribunal has listed the matter for further consideration on Oct 16, the replies have been sought from the authorities as well as the sarpanch, Mukesh, a week before that. The petitioner — local resident Arun Kumar — had said that despite complaints filed with both the forest department and the Chhainsa police station on March 27, and an ensuing inspection by forest officials, "no action was reportedly taken to address the illegal activity". Petitioner Arun Kumar, appearing in person via videoconference, submitted the forest department's inspection report, which confirmed illegal tree felling in the area. Photographs substantiating the claims were also placed on record. In the backdrop of this, the principal bench of NGT, led by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel, directed that notices be issued to the member secretary of Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Faridabad district Magistrate, divisional forest officer of Faridabad and the sarpanch, asking them to file their replies by way of affidavit at least a week before the next hearing. Taking a serious view of the matter, the tribunal noted the application raises substantial questions regarding compliance with environmental norms. "Applicant appearing virtually submits that in the report of the forest department it has come to light illegal felling of trees took place but in spite of that no action has been taken by the authorities. In support of the plea, the applicant has placed on record certain photographs along with the letter petition. OA raises substantial questions relating to compliance with environmental norms," the order said. The applicant has been instructed to serve the notices to the respondents and submit proof of service prior to the upcoming hearing.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
NGT orders probe into illegal sand mining at Gunadei Brahmani river quarry
CUTTACK: The National Green Tribunal (NGT)'s east zone bench in Kolkata formed a fact-finding committee on Friday to investigate the allegations of illegal sand mining at Gunadei Brahmani river sand quarry in Dhenkanal. The order came in response to a petition filed by Talcher-based Youth United for Sustainable Environment Trust. The petition alleged large-scale violations of the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, at the quarry, which spans 11.80 acre in Gunadei village under Odapada tehsil. The Trust claimed that the project was continuing operations illegally, without the necessary Environmental Clearance (EC) transfer and in violation of conditions attached to the original EC granted in favour of the tehsildar on March 30, 2021. The bench comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Dr Arun Kumar Verma, issued notices to the state government, SEIAA, State Pollution Control Board, MoEF&CC, and the lessee. The five-member fact-finding committee has been tasked to investigate the site and submit a report within three weeks. In the order, the bench noted the EC was liable to be revoked after May 2022 if a satisfactory Annual Rate of Replenishment Study was not submitted, a condition that remains unmet.
