Latest news with #PrakashShrivastava
Mint
12 hours ago
- Health
- Mint
Pigeon droppings can put your lungs at risk: What NGT notice to Delhi govt says on capital's pesky pests
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Delhi government and civic authorities, following a plea that claims that unchecked feeding and proliferation of pigeons lead to pigeon droppings across the city, which in turn causes health and environmental hazards, according to a press release. This is the second time the issue has drawn the Delhi government's attention. In 2024, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi proposed a complete ban on pigeon feeding, blaming the growing number of these birds in the capital, causing severe health hazards among children and the elderly. The Tribunal's bench, led by Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Ved, mentioned, citing the plea that pigeon droppings are accumulating on footpaths, pavements and traffic islands across Delhi and surrounding regions. 'When these feeding areas are swept, then the toxic particulars of dried droppings mix with the dust, pollute the environment and cause adverse health effects,' they added. The plea flagged hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a serious lung disease linked to exposure to bird droppings, as a key concern. In the longer run, the germs found in pigeon droppings can lead to lung scarring and breathing difficulties. In the May 29, 2025, order, the NGT said the case raises 'substantial issues' regarding environmental compliance and directed the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Public Works Department, and other relevant authorities to respond via affidavit, a written document that can be used as evidence in court. The matter is under further consideration as the hearing has been posted on October 8, 2025. The NGT is a specialised judicial body in India, currently headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava. Under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the green tribunal is responsible for handling cases related to environmental protection and the conservation of forests and natural resources.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
National Green Tribunal asks Punjab to strengthen tree preservation policy
Chandigarh: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Punjab chief secretary to address the shortcomings in the state's existing tree preservation policy to effectively prevent illegal felling of trees, especially on private land. The directive from a bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel came during a hearing on a complaint regarding the illegal cutting of standing green trees in a residential colony in Jalandhar. During the proceedings, the tribunal examined the 'Tree Preservation Policy for Non-Forest Govt and Public Land, 2024' and observed that significant gaps remained in its scope. Specifically, the policy does not extend to trees standing on private land. In an earlier hearing, the tribunal summoned the Punjab chief secretary to appear virtually to clarify the legal framework regulating the felling of trees on non-forest land in the state. Appearing before the bench, the chief secretary acknowledged the critical importance of tree preservation and affirmed the state's responsibility to safeguard trees on all types of land. However, he admitted that Punjab currently lacked a legislative framework to effectively deter and penalise illegal tree felling. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo The chief secretary assured the tribunal that the state govt would initiate the process of drafting and presenting a bill in the next legislative session and sought six months' time to complete the process. The applicant, meanwhile, raised several concerns about the 2024 policy and its implementation. These included the absence of a formal grievance redressal mechanism, lack of clarity on where complaints regarding illegal tree cutting should be lodged, and the non-existence of a tree census in the urban areas. It was pointed out that tree felling often takes place at night, allowing the violators to escape accountability. Further, municipal bodies reportedly lack any data on existing tree cover in their jurisdictions, making detection of illegal activity nearly impossible. The applicant also flagged issues such as the concretisation of tree bases, deliberate burning of garbage at tree roots to weaken them, and the absence of any system to ensure compensatory plantation for trees lost during thunderstorms or other natural events. Concerns were also raised over the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) carrying out indiscriminate tree felling. According to the applicant, over 100 trees are cut across the state every day, yet no punitive action is taken, exacerbating Punjab's already low tree cover – one of the lowest in the country. The NGT noted that the chief secretary was expected to consider these concerns and ensure that appropriate protective, punitive, and remedial measures were undertaken. The chief secretary has also been directed to file a progress report or an action taken report before the next date of hearing, scheduled for Oct 10. MSID:: 121575069 413 |
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Kerala shipwreck: NGT asks shipping firm MSC to clarify hazardous cargo in sunken Liberia-flagged vessel
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stated that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) that owned the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC Elsa 3 that sank off the Kochi coast on May 25, 2025 was expected to clarify on the contents of the hazardous cargo in the 13 of the 640 containers. An order dated May 27, 2025 issued by the Principal Bench of the tribunal in New Delhi pointed out that there were chances of serious impact to the marine and coastal environment affecting the biodiversity and water quality of the area as the sunken ship was carrying hazardous materials such as calcium carbide, oil and other undisclosed items. The Bench, comprising Prakash Shrivastava, chairperson, and A. Senthil Vel, expert member, said that the incident violated the provisions under the Biodiversity Act, 2002; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Suo motu cognisance The order was issued after the tribunal took suo motu cognisance of the report titled Containers from sunken ship likely to drift towards Alappuzha, Kollam Coasts in 48 hours: INCOIS published in The Hindu. 'On account of wave, wind and current actions of the waters, these pollutants can travel to other coastal parts of the country, including Lakshadweep islands, affecting them. The impact on the Lakshadweep island will be severe as the island coastal water has high bio-diversity with corals,' it said. The Bench has asked the Member Secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board, Lakshadweep Pollution Control Committee, Kerala State Pollution Control Board; Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Director General, Indian Coast Guard: and Director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to submit their responses on the shipwreck one week before the next hearing on July 30, 2025. Besides the 13 containers with hazardous cargo, the vessel was carrying 12 containers having calcium carbide. It was also loaded with 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil, according to official estimates.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Water bodies lost to urbanisation? NGT serves notice to Haryana over encroachments
Gurgaon: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) last week issued notices to Haryana govt, MCG, HSVP and the state's pond and water management authority to respond to allegations that at least four water bodies in the city have been built over or encroached upon. NGT chairperson justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel, in their order on May 30 said the matter raises questions about compliance of environmental norms and degradation of natural resources. "Issue notice to the respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing through e-filing… The applicant has also been asked to serve the respondents and submit an affidavit of service within the same timeline," the order, which was uploaded on May 31, said. The tribunal will take up the case next on Oct 10. NGT was hearing a petition filed by activist Vaishali Rana who raised concerns about the loss of ponds, which act as a natural stormwater drains, in a rapidly urbanising city. According to the plea, four ponds in the city are listed in revenue records, but have either been constructed over or encroached on illegally. Two of these are in Gwalpahari's Wazirabad (khasra numbers 85 and 90), another in Nirvana Country society in Sector 50, and one near Harijan Basti in Badshapur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Rana also submitted a right to information (RTI) reply from Dec 2024, in which MCG admitted to encroachments of ponds in Nirvana Country and Badshapur. The activist also presented satellite imagery of Nirvana Country to show that a former MCG councillor had built his office over a pond there. "Google satellite imagery shows a building at a spot where a natural water catchment used to be. I also got an RTI reply, which says that there has been encroachment on the water bodies," Rana told TOI on Sunday. Natural ponds are protected under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. In 2001, the Supreme Court also ruled in the Hinch Lal Tiwari vs Kamala Devi and others case that 'ponds' were a public utility meant for common use and they could not be allotted or commercialised. The apex court has since issued similar judgments. Asked about the petition, an MCG official said on Sunday that the matter is sub-judice. "But we will carry out investigations and check if there are encroachments on water bodies," he added. Rana said the case reflects a broader trend, where unchecked concretization is destroying natural water bodies.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
NGT says interference not required in construction of commando battalion HQ
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that its interference is not required in a matter regarding the alleged illegal permission granted for construction of the second Assam Commando Battalion unit headquarters inside the inner line of reserved forest in Assam's Hailakandi district. The tribunal disposed of the matter, saying it had received an affidavit from the state government that the project's construction would be confined to less than 20,000 square metres or around 4.94 acres and according to rules, and Environmental Clearance (EC) was not required for such construction. The green body had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report, which alleged that top forest officials of the Assam government had illegally diverted 44 acres of protected forest land for a Commando Battalion Headquarters -- a project which was being executed by the Assam Police Housing Corporation. "In the affidavit dated April 25, 2025, the state of Assam has taken the stand that it will confine its construction to 20,000sqm (19,668sqm to be precise). For such a construction, EC is not required," said a bench of NGT chairperson Prakash Shrivastava in an order dated May 30. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel noted the state government's affidavit, according to which, "The state government is ready to dismantle all the constructions beyond 20,000sqm and shall not undertake any further construction (of buildings and premises) beyond the said limit, for which no EC is required as per the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006. " PTI
