Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding severe air pollution due to operation of a stone crusher unit in village Ghutewadi, District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, 01/10/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Bhagwan Bhoite & Others Vs The Collector, Ahmednagar & Others dated 01/10/2019 regarding severe air pollution due to operation of a stone crusher unit in village Ghutewadi, Taluka Shrigonda, District Ahmednagar run by M/s. Dineschandra R. Agarwal Infracon Pvt. Ltd. It is alleged that the plant is run mostly at night and is located near to a school and agricultural lands. Apart from this, the unit is stated to fall within the limits of the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary.
A report was filed by a Joint Committee comprising of the regional officer of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the District Collector and the Divisional Forest Officer, Ahmednagar affirming the fact that the crushing unit falls within the ESZ demarcated for the sanctuary of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary. A show cause notice was issued to the unit by the Tahasildar of Shrigonda asking why the stone crushing unit should not be closed down and the "land in question be not resored to its original agricultural use as it falls within the limits of the ESZ."The Tribunal has been informed that after hearing from the unit, further action would be taken.
The Joint Committee has been asked to submit a further action taken report indicating the result of the hearing granted by the Tahasildar and also mention the authority which had given the unit the permission to establish in the ESZ zone.