NGT Directs CPCB To Prepare New Environment Plan For The Country [Read Order]

The Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal has directed Central Pollution Control Board to prepare model/models for States and Union Territories to compile information with reference to specific thematic areas, through which District Environment Plans can be prepared, collating the same State Environment Plan and eventually country's, Environment plan can be prepared.

The bench led by Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said "Based on States and UTs Environment Plans, MoEF&CC and CPCB shall prepare country's Environment Plan. Let the Secretary, MoEF&CC and Chairman, CPCB steer the preparation of country's Environment Plan. Let their action be completed by January 31, 2020 and compliance be reported to the Tribunal by February 15, 2020.

The areas on which the compilation is to be made include compliance to Solid Waste Rules including Legacy Waste. Compliance to Bio-medical Waste Rules. Compliance to Construction & Demolition Waste. Compliance to Hazardous Waste Rules. Compliance to E-waste Rules. 351 Polluter Stretches in the country. 122 Non-attainment cities. 100 industrial clusters. Status of STPs and re-use of treated water. Status of CETPs/ETPs including performance. Ground water extraction/contamination and re-charge. Air pollution including noise pollution. Illegal sand mining. Rejuvenation of water bodies.

The bench said "To facilitate preparation of such District Environment Plan, it will be appropriate that CPCB prepares a Model/Models and places the same on its website which may be adopted with suitable changes as per local requirements for all Districts in the country and monitored by the Chief Secretaries with reports to the Tribunal."

The bench directed Department of Environment of all States and Union Territories to collect such District Environment Plans of their respective States and finalize the 'State Environment Plan' covering the specific thematic areas and template of Model/Models District Environment Plan provided by the CPCB. The action for preparation of State's Environment Plan shall be monitored by the respective Chief Secretaries of States and Administration of UTs. The action is to be completed by December 15, and compliance report be submitted to the tribunal by December 31.

The bench also directed that it's order be sent to the Secretary, MoEF&CC, Chairman, CPCB, All Chief Secretaries of States and Administrators of all the Union Territories by e-mail for compliance. 

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