Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding violation of environmental norms by the quarrying and crushing units, Rajmahal hills of the Vindhya mountains, district Sahebganj, Jharkhand, 12/03/2021
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Syed Arshad Nasar Vs Union of India & Others dated 12/03/2021.
The matter related to enforcement of environmental norms in the operation of quarrying and crushing units in Rajmahal hills of the Vindhya mountains, district Sahebganj, Jharkhand and the matter was in continuation of the NGT order September 23, 2020. In last order, the Tribunal noted that the area was rich in mineral resources. The mining companies or other entities were indulging in indiscriminate mining and operating stone crushers without due regard to the environmental norms. In this process, the hills were being blown up.
The NGT March 12, 2021 decided to give time sought by the Joint Committee for submission of a comprehensive joint committee report but said that the action taken by the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board was inadequate. Preventive measures to control pollution were not being taken inspite of repeated show cause notices.
The Tribunal recommended that the Joint Committee could take into account the pattern followed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the matter of Utkarsh Panwar Vs CPCB & Others about the carrying capacity of the NCR to sustain the number of brick kilns and siting criteria. The joint Committee should also make recommendations on the subject of assessment of compensation taking into account the cost of restoration for the damage caused and its apportionment among the violators.