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In view of the continuously deteriorating environmental balance and serious problems of pollution in the country, a standing committee of the Parliament has given very strict and important advice to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The parliamentary committee has urged the NGT to use its ‘suo moto’ (spontaneous cognizance) powers more and more actively in sensitive matters like rampant cutting of trees for the construction of highways, illegal sand mining on river banks and poisonous air of Delhi-NCR. The Committee believes that the NGT now needs to adopt a more aggressive and prompt approach in matters to the environment, so that the natural resources of the country can be saved.

Ecological risks from Ganga-Yamuna plains to North-East

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Personnel has recently presented a detailed and important report on “Review of the functioning of the Tribunal System in the Country” in both Houses of Parliament. In this report, special emphasis has been laid on the fact that NGT should not just wait for complaints to come, but should take suo motu cognizance and take strict action on serious environmental issues. The major concerns mentioned by the committee include dangerous air pollution spreading in Delhi and the Ganga-Yamuna plains, increasing pollution of rivers, unplanned construction of tall buildings, damage to the sensitive ecosystem of the north-eastern states and illegal mining being carried out in disregard of environmental norms.

Emphasis on prompt compliance and strong follow-up of orders

The Parliamentary Committee has also given several necessary instructions to the Tribunal and the Environment Ministry to ensure their strict compliance after giving the verdict on environmental matters. The committee has recommended that there should be prompt and effective implementation of the orders given by the NGT at the ground level. For this, better use of joint committees, fixing accountability of responsible officers and presenting regular Action Taken Report (ATR) should be further strengthened. Experts believe that if these recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee are implemented strictly, it will go a long way in curbing those who violate environmental laws in the country.