Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding industrial pollution in villages of Ambapada and Mahul, Maharashtra, 15/07/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Charudatt Koli Vs M/s Sea Lord Containers Ltd. dated 15/07/2019 regarding air pollution in the outskirts of Mumbai, in and around villages Ambapada and Mahul. The major contributor to the air pollution are said to be the logistic services, storing oil, gas and chemical items, as well as oil companies releasing emissions. The emissions include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) on account of loading, storage and unloading operations of hazardous chemicals at various stages.
NGT in its Order said that "having regard to the acknowledged generation of VOCs by the units, the impact on the environment and public health in the area and its estimated monetary value should be assessed and steps taken for restoration accordingly after verifying the database on VOCs and reduction targets by taking the services of expert professionals/ institutions. The values so assessed may be recovered from the units in question, in appropriate proportion." CPCB has been directed to assess the value of damage to the environment and public health and the proportion in which the amount is required to be recovered from the identified contributors to the pollution.