Constitute State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities In 6 Weeks If Absent: Supreme Court Directs States

The Supreme Court on November 12 directed State Governments to constitute State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAA) within 6 weeks wherever they have not been formed.The above direction was made when the Court was hearing a civil appeal against an order of the National Green Tribunal which disapproved the grant of Environment Clearances in certain leases by the District...

Delhi Air Pollution | GRAP-IV Restrictions To Continue In NCR Even If AQI Falls Below 450 : Supreme Court

Addressing the deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-National Capital Region, the Supreme Court on Monday (November 18) directed that the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan Statge IV (GRAP-IV) should continue even if the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi improves and falls below 450 till further orders.The Court also expressed dissatisfaction with the Commission for Air...

Supreme Court To Address Delhi's Severe Pollution On Monday; Amicus Curiae Raises Concerns Over Lack of Pre-emptive Action

The Supreme Court will address the issue of severe level of air pollution in Delhi-NCR on Monday.Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, acting as amicus curiae mentioned the matter today before a bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih, raising concerns over worsening air quality, noting that Delhi has once again reached a “severe” pollution level. Singh said that the...

Punjab And Haryana Owe An Explanation: Supreme Court Reiterates Concern Over Reluctance To Prosecute Officials For Violating CAQM Orders On Stubble Burning

The Supreme Court on Monday (November 11) reiterated its concern over the reluctance of states of Punjab and Haryana to prosecute officials that have violated CAQM orders regarding stubble burning under Section 14 of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act.A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih was hearing the MC Mehta case concerning pollution management...

Solid Waste Management Rules Remain On Paper: Supreme Court Warns Delhi of “Harsh Orders” Over Failure To Implement 2016 Rules

The Supreme Court on Monday (November 11) expressed concern over lack of implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, highlighting issues like unchecked waste accumulation at landfill sites, waste from construction, and the risk of fires at waste storage areas.A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih was hearing the MC Mehta case concerning pollution...

'What Procedure Followed In Tree Felling?' : Supreme Court Issues Notice To Delhi Tree Authority & Officers

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Tree Authority and the Tree Officers appointed under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, in a plea seeking to prevent the Delhi government from permitting tree felling under the Act without prior permission from the court.A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih was hearing the plea that also seeks the constitution...

After Supreme Court Rap, Centre Doubles Penalties For Stubble Burning; Farmers To Pay Up To Rs. 30,000 For Violations

The Central Government has issued an amendment to the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection, and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Rules, 2023.This amendment, notified on November 6, 2024, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, doubles the rates of environmental compensation...

'Air Pollution At All-Time High During Diwali, Explain Steps Taken To Enforce Firecracker Ban': Supreme Court To Delhi Govt & Police

The Supreme Court today directed the Delhi Government and the Police Commissioner of Delhi to file affidavits stating steps taken to implement the ban on firecrackers in Delhi as well as proposed steps to ensure compliance with the ban next year.“There cannot be any dispute that the ban was hardly implemented. Moreover, the effect of non-implementation of the ban is very apparent from...

Stubble Burning Violates Fundamental Right To Pollution-Free Environment Under Article 21: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 23) emphasized that stubble burning is not merely an issue of breach of law but it constitutes violation of citizens' fundamental right to live in a pollution-free environment, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.“Time has come to remind us to the Government of India and the state governments that there is a fundamental right vesting in...

Environment Protection Act Rendered Toothless Due To Centre's Inaction: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 23) observed that the section 15 of the Environment Protection Act has been rendered “toothless” due to the Centre's inaction after the 2023 Jan Vishwas Amendment which replaced punishment for violation of the Act with penalties.“This provision has been rendered completely ineffective due to inaction on the part of Government of India…In the...

If Tree Planting Conditions Are Violated, Will Order Demolition Of Constructions & Restore Land : Supreme Court Warns Project Proponents

The Supreme Court today (October 14) warned that if project proponents do not comply with conditions of compensatory afforestation imposed while granting tree felling permissions, it will impose costs and order restoration of the lands apart from contempt action.A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih was dealing with the issue of enhancing the green cover in...

Stubble Burning Increased Substantially In Some Punjab & Haryana Districts, Yet Only Mild Penalties Imposed : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 3) pulled up the States of Punjab and Haryana as well as the Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi NCR (CAQM) for not prosecuting persons who have violated CAQM orders to tackle stubble burning under stringent provisions of the CAQM Act and Environmental Protection Act, 1986 (EPA).A bench of Justice Abhay Oka, Justice Ahsanuddin Ammanullah...