Latest news with #TNPCB
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Use clay idols, avoid plastic this Vinayaka Chathurthi: TNPCB
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has appealed to the public to celebrate the upcoming Vinayaka Chathurthi festival in an environmentally responsible manner. All idol immersions are to be carried out only at designated locations notified by the respective district administrations. These sites have been identified to prevent pollution of natural waterbodies and ensure proper handling of immersion-related materials. As part of its awareness efforts, the TNPCB has released a list of recommended dos and don'ts for the celebration. Among the advisories, one is the use of eco-friendly idols made of natural clay, and decorations crafted from biodegradable, non-toxic materials. The use of idols made from Plaster of Paris(POP), thermocol, synthetic dyes, and oil-based paints are strongly discouraged, as they can have a harmful impact on water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Pooja materials should ideally include natural elements such as flowers, leaves, and cloth, while plastic items and painted disposable materials are to be avoided. Devotees are also encouraged to distribute prasadam using biodegradable or reusable utensils, steering clear of single-use plastic plates, cups, and straws. Waste generated during the festival should be segregated and disposed of responsibly using appropriate bins, and under no circumstance should litter be dumped in public spaces or waterbodies, the TNPCB has said.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Nature won't spare you: Top court raps Tamil Nadu over Palar River pollution
The Supreme Court on Monday issued a strong warning to Tamil Nadu authorities over the pollution of the Palar River caused by untreated tannery effluents, urging immediate and effective action. A bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala, while hearing a plea on Monday, said, "Don't meddle with nature, nature will not spare you".The court expressed concern over the large volume of untreated waste being discharged into the river, which serves as a source of water for many residents. "Imagine thousands of litres of pollution being left in the river — what would be the condition of that river? There are people who fetch water from it," Justice Pardiwala bench stressed the need for joint efforts and responsibility from all officials, telling them to treat the problem as a challenge. "You are residents of the state. Why not take it up as a challenge to do something good? Don't hesitate to hold someone by their neck if need be," the court noted. After hearing from three district collectors, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the court identified two key concerns — the proper functioning of Central Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and the role of the committee earlier formed to monitor the bench further stressed that CETPs must operate at their full capacity to stop untreated effluents from directly entering the top court warned that if urgent steps were not taken, the situation would worsen. It granted two weeks for authorities to present concrete plans to control pollution and directed senior counsel to respond to the petitioner's submissions. The matter will be taken up again after this the Supreme Court had issued several directions in this case, including the payment of compensation to affected families and the recovery of damages from polluting industries. An expert panel was also constituted to assess the environmental damage and recommend remedial Palar River, once a vital water source in Tamil Nadu, has faced severe pollution due to industrial waste. The court's latest intervention signals growing judicial impatience over the slow pace of corrective measures.- EndsTune InMust Watch
NDTV
2 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Tamil Nadu Calls For Eco-Friendly Ganesha Idols To Avoid Water Pollution
Chennai: With Ganesh Chaturthi set to be celebrated across Tamil Nadu on August 27, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has issued a set of guidelines urging devotees to opt for eco-friendly idols and to ensure that immersion activities do not pollute waterbodies. In an official release, the TNPCB emphasised that idols should be made entirely from natural, biodegradable, and eco-friendly raw materials, avoiding any toxic or inorganic substances. The use of traditional clay and mud has been recommended, while materials such as Plaster of Paris (PoP), plastic, and thermocol (polystyrene) have been strictly prohibited. The board stated that only such eco-friendly idols will be permitted for safe immersion in designated waterbodies. To maintain environmental integrity, it has also specified that ornaments for the idols should be crafted using dried flower components and straw. For enhancing the idol's appearance, only natural tree resins may be used as a shining material. 'The use of single-use plastic and thermocol in any form shall not be permitted,' the statement read, highlighting the importance of reducing non-biodegradable waste during the festival. In addition, the TNPCB has banned the application of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes and oil paints on idols. It advised against the use of enamel and synthetic dye-based paints, instead encouraging artisans to adopt eco-friendly alternatives such as water-based, biodegradable, and non-toxic natural dyes. To further prevent pollution, the board has instructed that idol immersion should be carried out only at locations specifically notified for each district by the respective district administrations. These directions align with the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which aim to protect aquatic ecosystems from contamination during mass idol immersions. Vinayaka Chaturthi, one of Tamil Nadu's most widely celebrated festivals, often sees large-scale installation and immersion of idols. However, in recent years, environmentalists and civic authorities have raised concerns over the impact of non-biodegradable materials and toxic paints on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. The TNPCB's move is expected to promote more sustainable celebrations while preserving traditional practices. The board has appealed to the public, idol makers, and organisers of community celebrations to strictly follow the guidelines and contribute towards a cleaner and greener festival.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Plea in HC against Murugan statue
Chennai: Madras High Court has directed the state forest department to respond to a petition to halt construction of a 184-foot-tall Murugan statue at Marudhamalai, Coimbatore. A special division bench of Justices N Satish Kumar and D Bharatha Chakravarthy passed the order on a plea moved by animal welfare activist S Muralidharan. According to the petitioner, Marudhamalai, located within the Coimbatore forest region, lies along an important elephant corridor and is an ecologically sensitive area. "Elephants use this area as a passage to move between the Nilgiri forests and other forest zones. Constructing a 184-foot statue in this region would require the clearing of forest land, which could disrupt elephant movement and lead to an increase in human-animal conflict," he said. He claimed that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted for the project and that necessary approvals were not obtained from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) or the forest department. Therefore, the petitioner wanted the court to direct the state govt to stay all the construction activities related to the statue. He further wanted the court to direct the authorities to close illegal resorts operating in Anaikatti, another known elephant corridor. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- The Hindu
TNPCB levies ₹3.15 crore fine on Tiruppur Corporation for dumping wastes in abandoned quarry at Pongupalayam village
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has assessed payment of fine to the extent of ₹3.15 crore by the Tiruppur Corporation for failing to adhere to the directive of the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone) to stop dumping of untreated municipal wastes at an abandoned quarry at Kalamapalayam in Pongupalayam village in Tiruppur North Taluk. A petition submitted to the NGT (SZ) by Satishkumar R., environmental activist of Pongupalayam, held the District Collector, the TNPCB, Tiruppur Corporation and Srinivas Waste Management Services (P) Ltd. responsible for the dumping of unsegregated wastes in the abandoned quarry, by flouting an earlier order of the NGT (SZ). Based on an inspection carried out on July 4, District Environmental Engineer, Tiruppur North, S. Bharathiraja, in his report submitted before Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member, and Satyagopal Korlapati, Expert Member, on July 16, said the Tiruppur Corporation and the private entity had been directed to remove the wastes dumped, and undertake comprehensive clean up and remediation. The TNPCB report also directed the respondents to identify a legally compliant site for establishment of a municipal solid waste management-cum-disposal facility, and dispose wastes in strict compliance with the law. According to the report, the Tiruppur Corporation had continued dumping of unsegregated municipal solid waste in the quarry in Survey 206 against the order of NGT SZ dated January 31, 2025. As the quarry had got filled, the local body capped the dumped quarry with a layer of sand. The civic body was subsequently continuing the dumping / firing of the wastes at another abandoned quarry on south-eastern side of the capped quarry. During inspection, smoke was also observed emanating from the dump site, the report said. The Corporation had not obtained necessary authorisation under SWM Rules 2016, and the violation required the local body to pay compensation of ₹5 lakh per month, from April, 2021, which amounts to ₹3.15 crore till June 30, the TNPCB report said.
