Order of the National Green Tribunal on unregulated handling of plastic waste, Delhi, 03/12/2018
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Satish Kumar Vs Union of India & Others dated 03/12/2018 regarding shifting/closing of industrial activities falling under category ‘F’ of the Master Plan of Delhi, 2001.
Aggrieved by the inaction in that direction, petitions were filed in the Delhi High Court alleging unauthorized industrial activities which included handling of plastic and its illegal disposal by way of burning. The Tribunal dealt the matter by way of final order dated 12.12.2013 and directions were issued restraining the plastic waste dealers and other involved in the activity to comply with the requirements of statutory Rules - Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. All the municipalities were also directed to enforce the Rules. NGT finds that even after the court orders unregulated handling of plastic continues. National Green Tribunal directs the Delhi Government to deposit a sum of Rs. 25 Crores towards the cost of damage to the environment with the Central Pollution Control Board for restoration of the damage within one month. Further Delhi Government will furnish a Performance Guarantee of Rs. 25 Crores within one month to carry out the direction of the Court in its entirety within next three months and on such failure, the amount will be forfeited. NGT directs that waste burning incidents should be stopped and watched at ward level and for that help of aerial devices like drones and satellite imageries can be taken.