NGT slams Uttarakhand, Jharkhand over Ganga sewage pollution
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, demanding explanations for non-functional sewage treatment plants (STPs) and the continued discharge of untreated sewage into the Ganga River. The NGT has also requested a plan for wastewater treatment until the STPs become operational. This action follows a compliance affidavit from the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board revealing that many STPs in the state are not meeting operational standards.
In the case of Jharkhand, district magistrates' reports indicated a lack of STPs and sewage lines in several districts, leading to direct or indirect pollution of the Ganga. The NGT highlighted a 2017 Supreme Court order mandating the establishment of STPs within three years and has now directed the Secretary of Environment, Jharkhand, to explain the non-compliance and provide a timeline for establishing these facilities. Additionally, the National Mission for Clean Ganga has been instructed to disclose the funding status for sewage infrastructure in Jharkhand. (The Hindustan Times)
Hope rekindled for Aravalli Forest preservation
Recent actions by the Income Tax Department have raised hopes for the preservation of a portion of the Aravalli Forest in Faridabad, specifically 430 acres in Mangar village. The department has attached this land, identifying it as "benami property" linked to real estate companies. This development is significant because Mangar, despite its ecological importance and meeting the criteria of a forest, has not been officially classified as such by the Haryana government. Environmentalists hope this attachment will lead to the recognition and protection of this land as a "deemed forest," safeguarding its rich biodiversity.
The case highlights the complex issue of land ownership and forest classification in the Aravallis. Revenue records indicate that the land was originally village common land but was later privatised through disputed means. While the Income Tax Department's action addresses concerns about illegal transactions, the larger issue of formally recognising and protecting the Aravallis as a forest remains unresolved. Conservationists and legal experts emphasise the need to conserve these lands for their environmental benefits to the entire National Capital Region, free from real estate development. (The Hindustan Times)
NGT criticises Inadequate waste management at Gurugram landfill
The NGT has expressed strong disapproval regarding the way waste is being handled at the Bandhwari landfill in Gurugram. This criticism was directed specifically at the municipal corporations of both Gurugram and Faridabad, citing "gross deficiencies" in their waste management practices. Furthermore, the NGT has instructed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to submit a new affidavit within six weeks. This affidavit must detail the environmental compensation that has been levied and recovered from these two municipal corporations.
In its order dated April 15th, which was made public on Tuesday, the Principal Bench of the NGT highlighted the lack of a consistent strategy by the Municipal Corporations of Gurugram and Faridabad for establishing waste processing facilities. The tribunal noted that while the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram had previously planned a waste-to-energy plant, this has now been replaced by a torrefied charcoal project, which is not expected to be operational until 2027. The NGT also pointed out the increasing volume of waste at the landfill, referencing affidavits filed by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram that show a rise in the unprocessed waste from 8.84 lakh metric tonnes in December 2024 to 11.32 lakh metric tonnes by the end of March 2025, indicating a growing accumulation of legacy waste. (The Hindu)
Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2025: Industrial emission targets announced
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has introduced specific industrial emission reduction targets under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2025. This move, formalised through a draft notification issued on April 16, 2025, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, establishes the "Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025." As a key component of India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023, this framework aims to establish a national mechanism for curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through carbon credit trading and mandates specific emission reduction goals for various industries.
Under these new regulations, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will be responsible for setting Emission Intensity Targets (EIT) for designated high-emission sectors, measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of equivalent production. These targets will be in effect from the fiscal years 2025-26 to 2026-27, using data from 2023-24 as the baseline. Entities failing to meet their assigned targets will be required to purchase carbon credit certificates from the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) portal or face environmental compensation penalties levied by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The collected penalties will be dedicated to promoting the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, underscoring India's commitment to achieving its climate change objectives by encouraging cleaner production methods and fostering a robust carbon trading market. (The Solar Quarter)
Indus Waters Treaty in jeopardy: India seeks renegotiation
Following the Pahalgam massacre, India has put the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance as a strategic move. This decision, communicated to Pakistan, underscores India's stance that significantly changed circumstances necessitate a reassessment of treaty obligations and renegotiation.
India's push for renegotiation is driven by a confluence of factors that were not fully accounted for when the treaty was signed in 1960. These include altered demographics, the urgent need for clean and renewable energy sources like hydropower, the growing impacts of climate change such as melting glaciers and altered water flows, and the increasing pressure on groundwater resources. Furthermore, India argues that the treaty, initially based on good faith, has been undermined by Pakistan's actions, hindering India's ability to fully exercise its rights under the pact.
This recent move follows earlier communications in 2023 and 2024 where India raised concerns about Pakistan's non-adherence to the treaty's dispute resolution mechanisms and highlighted the fundamental changes requiring a review. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has also described the treaty as detrimental to the region's interests, advocating for a revised agreement that better addresses the economic aspirations and water resource needs of J&K. (The New Indian Express)
NGT probes illegal fish processing in Balasore
The NGT has formed a four-member fact-finding committee to probe alleged illegal operations at a fish meal and scrap fish processing unit in Tundura, Balasore district. This action follows a petition filed by a local resident. The NGT's east zone bench, on April 17th, established the committee, which includes representatives from the Central Ground Water Board, the Central and Odisha State Pollution Control Boards, and the District Magistrate and Collector of Balasore. The petitioner's advocates presented claims that the unit has been discharging untreated wastewater into the sea via the Kantachira river after processing large amounts of decaying fish.
The processing unit, operational since 2023 along the Kantachira river (a natural creek linking green fields to the Odisha coast canal and the Bay of Bengal), has a substantial annual capacity for producing fish meal and surimi. Considering these allegations, the NGT bench, comprising a judicial member and an expert member, deemed it necessary to constitute the fact-finding committee. The bench has directed the committee to visit the site and submit a report on their findings within four weeks.
Furthermore, the court has designated the Balasore District Magistrate to manage logistical aspects and file the committee's report. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for May 22nd, and all involved parties, including government bodies and the fish processing unit, are required to submit counter-affidavits within the same four-week timeframe. (The Times of India)
This is a roundup of policy updates from the April 16, 2025 to April 30, 2025. Read our news updates here