New Delhi – NGT was extra cautious and aggressively involved in battling several environmental problems throughout 2024. This court gave some important directives against air pollution along with ensuring protection of water. These measures ensured relief to sufferings from humans and nature both due to ecological degradation.
Air Pollution and City Problems
Air quality was still a problem, especially in the National Capital Region (NCR). The high levels of PM2.5 that pose a huge health risk were recorded in December, with 32 out of 35 monitoring stations reporting an AQI that falls under the severe-plus category, and some areas exceeding 470 AQI.
The NGT directed the CAQM to formulate an action plan against pollution in details. It further emphasized that greater transparency would be followed regarding its implementation of anti-pollution measures under GRAP.
In taking suo motu cognizance, the tribunal relied on reports relating pollution to the emissions of the thermal plants and adverse weather conditions prevailing in the national capital city of Delhi. It asked 53 cities reporting deteriorating air quality to present reports regarding pollution sources and ways of their reduction.
Water Management and River Pollution
The other major concern of the NGT was water pollution. The NGT discussed pollution in rivers, including Ganga and Yamuna, keeping in mind special attention to ensure water quality ahead of Mahakumbh at Prayagraj. It ordered authorities not to allow the discharge of sewage and dumping of solid waste into rivers and enhance monitoring points.
The NGT, Uttarakhand expressed its concern regarding pollution in the Ganga at Gangotri originating site due to sewage treatment plant discharge. It asked for district-wise action plans for not allowing contamination of rivers and their tributaries.
The tribunal has ensured protection of water bodies by making mandatory:
Complete utilization of the existing STPs.
Complete household connectivity to sewer systems.
Strict compliance with STP norms.
Treated water to be used for non-potable purposes.
Solid and Liquid Waste Management
The NGT examined the states and union territories’ waste management practices and found a variance in action-taken reports. It also pointed out a lacuna in waste processing, land reclamation, and legacy waste remediation. Bihar was one of the states criticized for its lack of progress in solid and liquid waste management.
The tribunal has guided in hazardous waste matters proper maintenance of treatment storage facilities and carried out recycling strictly with respect to environmental norms.
In addition, biomedical waste management is also included along with directions given for using barcoding and prohibiting its mix with municipal solid waste. Electric and electronic waste producers have been reminded of compliance under extended producer responsibility rules.
Natural Resource Protection
Efforts to protect natural resources featured prominently in the tribunal’s actions. Key measures included:
Prohibition of illegal sand mining in riverbeds.
Prevention of industrial activities in ecologically sensitive areas.
Sealing unauthorized borewells to prevent groundwater depletion.
Notifying 24 states and four union territories on contamination of groundwater with arsenic and fluoride.
The NGT suggested strict monitoring to curb illegal activities that are threatening forests and green cover. It also identified coastal zone management plans as critical for protecting coastal ecosystems.
Plastic Waste and Event Management
The other issue was plastic waste, where the NGT commented that despite banning single-use plastics, the targets for managing plastic waste were not achieved.
The NGT ordered the restoration of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium after waste littered the premises following a concert.
Key Orders and Observations
The tribunal followed the industrial accidents, providing compensation to the victims and punishing the non-compliant units. It also gave orders for the improvement of floodplain management and protection of the sanctity of major rivers by demarcation and protection rules.
Continuing with its all-rounded approach in 2024, the NGT remained the vanguard in the fight against environmental challenges facing the country.
Source: Directives and related reports from National Green Tribunal.