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NGT intervenes to safeguard Yelahanka Lake from sewage influx
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to complete proposed sewer lines in residential areas to protect the Yelahanka lake reserve in Bengaluru. This aims to prevent sewage from entering the Storm Water Drain (SWD) Chiranjeevi Kulka, which feeds the lake. The tribunal's directive stresses the urgency of preventing pollution and preserving the lake's ecosystem.
By mandating swift completion of sewer infrastructure, the NGT prioritises preventing untreated wastewater contamination of this vital water body. This reflects the tribunal's environmental protection commitment and enforcement to safeguard vulnerable lake ecosystems from sewage discharge. The NGT's focus on the BWSSB's responsibility highlights the crucial role of civic bodies in maintaining urban water resources. (Deccan Herald)
NGT orders third-party audit to determine Najafgarh Jheel area in Haryana
The NGT has ordered the National Wetland Authority (NWA) to audit the exact size of Haryana's Najafgarh Jheel. This follows a size discrepancy: the Haryana State Wetland Authority claims 75 acres for wetland declaration, while INTACH contests this. INTACH, in a 2018 plea, presented 2021 satellite imagery showing a much larger 2,048-acre submergence area, with fluctuations from 200 to 2,048 acres between 2014 and 2021.
The NGT's May 1st order, by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, addresses INTACH's objections to Haryana's smaller acreage claim. Recognising the Najafgarh Jheel as a key transboundary wetland for Delhi and Haryana – historically fed by the Sahibi river and connected to the Yamuna via the Najafgarh drain – the tribunal stressed accurate demarcation by both states for formal wetland notification. The NGT directed INTACH to include the NWA in the execution application and requested a comprehensive report from the authority by September 4 to determine the lake's area in Haryana. (The Hindustan Times)
Supreme Court warns Telangana: Restore Kancha Gachibowli forest or face jail
The Supreme Court strongly criticised the Telangana government for clearing 400 acres of forest in Kancha Gachibowli for IT parks. Initiating a suo motu case after student protests against the land auction, Chief Justice B R Gavai called the deforestation "pre-planned," noting the use of many bulldozers over a long weekend. The court warned the state to restore the greenery or face potential imprisonment for involved officials, including the Chief Secretary.
Expressing dismay at the state's defense without a restoration plan, the Chief Justice warned of contempt proceedings and "temporary prison" for top officials. The court emphasised sustainable development, questioning the felling of around 1,000 trees during a long vacation. While the state sought time to respond to a CEC report highlighting the dense forest cover, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing to July 23, urging Telangana to prioritise forest restoration. (The Indian Express)
NGT to investigate Kashmir wetland waste dumping
The NGT has taken suo motu action to investigate the alleged unscientific dumping of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the establishment of a non-functional waste management plant near a wetland and grazing area in Ganderbal district, Central Kashmir. This follows a complaint by a local resident, Nighat Mir, who reported that waste dumping by the Municipal Committee of Ganderbal and the Rural Development Department was impacting her land and violating environmental regulations.
In response to the complaint, the NGT constituted a joint committee on April 25, 2025, comprising the Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal and the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (J&K PCC). The Deputy Commissioner has been appointed as the nodal officer, and the committee is tasked with visiting the site within 15 days to submit a factual report. The NGT has directed the committee to take strict action, including imposing environmental compensation on violators if the allegations of illegal waste dumping are substantiated. (Daily Excelsior)
NGT orders removal of encroachments from Ghaziabad ponds
The NGT has directed the District Wetland Committee to clear encroachments from water bodies and ponds in Ghaziabad. This directive follows a report indicating that 231 out of the district's 1,075 ponds, located across four tehsils, are facing encroachments. The NGT bench, consisting of judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Afroz Ahmad, has ordered the expedited removal of these encroachments and the subsequent rejuvenation and protection of the ponds to prevent future issues.
The report submitted to the NGT revealed that these 1,075 ponds should have covered 524 hectares, but 231 of them, totalling about 55 hectares, are either fully or partially encroached. Modinagar has the highest number of encroached ponds (120 out of 579), followed by Ghaziabad Sadar (29 out of 120), the GMC area (44 out of 140), and Loni (38 out of 139). Most of Ghaziabad's blocks are in the 'over-exploited' category for groundwater, with extraction exceeding replenishment, and the average groundwater level in Ghaziabad city has significantly dipped. (The Times of India)
NGT demands action on Ganga pollution in UP, sets two-week deadline
The NGT has sternly directed Uttar Pradesh authorities to provide detailed information within two weeks on their efforts to reduce Ganga River pollution. This order, issued on May 2nd by Justice Prakash Shrivastava's bench, follows prior instructions for district-level actions against untreated sewage discharge. The tribunal's renewed urgency stems from a report indicating ongoing failures to prevent effluent release into the Ganga.
The NGT's directive stresses that UP authorities must furnish complete specifics on measures to tap drains and properly manage effluent diversion to sewage treatment plants (STPs). The tribunal also noted the lack of information regarding the timelines for identified polluting drains and sought clarification on the responsible officials, emphasising its commitment to holding those accountable for the river's contamination. (Deccan Herald)
This is a roundup of policy updates from May 1, 2025 to May 15, 2025. Read our news updates here