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Environmental norms compliance by roadside eateries
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report on compliance of environmental norms by roadside eateries / restaurants and other establishments following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of November 25, 2019 in the matter of Abhay Dahiya & Others Vs State of Haryana was made public on February 24.
The CPCB along with officials of Haryana State Pollution Control Board and the state’s municipal corporation inspected roadside eateries at Haryana’s Murthal at National Highway-1 (NH-1) on December 21, 2019.
After the joint inspection, environmental issues and observations were made on drinking water requirements, liquid waste management, solid waste management, air pollution and noise pollution.
The report also laid out procedures to be followed for handling and disposal of used cooking oil.
Mining of heavy minerals
A 67-page report was uploaded on the NGT site on February 24, 2020 on the matter of illegal mining of heavy minerals carried out by M/s Indian Rare Earths Ltd and M/s Kerala Minerals & Metals Limited (KMML) along the coastal area of Alappad and Chavara in Kerala’s Kollam district.
The report also contained the minutes of the meeting that the Chairman of Kerala State PCB had convened on August 2019 with different stake holders concerned with the mining of heavy minerals from the Chavara coastal area along with technical experts in the field.
The discussions were intended to sort out problems in recovering mineral resources without causing further environmental damage.
In the meeting, it was decided to make plans and proposals to mine offshore minerals and rebuild the beach using reject sand.
Water sample of Noida drain
An inspection report on the status of water quality in Noida drain as per a National Green Tribunal order dated July 30, 2019 in the matter of Abhisht Kusum Gupta Vs State of Uttar Pradesh was uploaded by the NGT on February 24, 2020.
A committee was directed to measure faecal coliform content in water samples, which was a relevant factor for determining water pollution.
Samples were collected from different locations of drains at Delhi and Noida, Uttar Pradesh to ascertain the extent of organic loadings and faecal coliform on October 15, 2019.
The results indicate that the concentration level of biological oxygen demand and faecal coliform at the confluence point of drain with Yamuna was quite high.
The inspection team led by Dr CR Babu recommended that in-situ treatment of Noida drain in Noida stretch be carried out as an immediate measure for treatment of the wastewater.
Further, as the Noida drain falls under the jurisdiction of Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Flood Control Department and that in-situ treatment be carried out jointly by Noida authority and Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Flood Control Department in consultation with Dr CR Babu.
Mahadayi water dispute
Supreme Court on February 20, 2020 allowed the publishing of the award dated August 14, 2018 of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal for sharing of water between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra from the Mahadayi river.
The interlocutory application filed by the state of Karnataka has been allowed, subject to the result of pending proceedings. The order was passed by a bench comprising Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hemant Gupta.