NT NETWORK

Panaji

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal has directed all the state pollution control boards to prepare plans for restoration of environment and coordinate with district collector for implementation of district environment plans.

The direction came when the green panel was hearing a plea moved by petitioner Ashish Kumar Dixit, seeking action against illegal operation of marriage halls, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, commercial complexes, hotels and other commercial establishments without requisite prior NOC/consent to operate in Uttar Pradesh.

Terming a report furnished by the UP pollution control board as “far from satisfactory,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed it to revisit the plan and finalise it with the approval of the CPCB within two months.

“The report proposes to spend the environment restoration fund on establishment of pollution control rooms which is in a way capital investment. What is required in terms of orders of this tribunal is to spend the environment restoration fund for the purpose meant for, that is, for strengthening vigilance mechanism, setting up of laboratories, monitoring of environment and coordination with district magistrates,” the NGT said.

It directed the UP state pollution control board to revisit its plan and also asked other state pollution control boards to prepare similar plan in coordination with the CPCB.

“All other state PCBs and PCCs may also prepare similar action
plans for restoration of environment and implementation of district environment plans. The CPCB may also prepare such plan for utilisation of funds available with it,” the bench added.

The court asked CPCB to file compliance report within four months and posted the matter for hearing on October 15.