Legal protection against Environmental Pollution

19 Mar 2015 (AIR News Analysis)

Legal protection against Environmental Pollution

Participants: C K Varshini, Former faculty, JNU and Mohan sahay, Senior Journalist

National Green Tribunal – creating dirt in the railway tract is an offence; 2010 NGT created by the act of parliament – it can take any area whichever it considered to be polluting the environment; How it can contribute?

This is a decision based on the PIL – to keep the railway station & tracks clean; presently even the area near large metropolitan cities are pollution – distress/disgusting welcome to the tourists; Slum dweller, rack picker – vulnerable  to potential health hazards;

Chairman, Railway Board – commitment – as Railway Budget propose ‘Green Wall’.

Garbage bins in the railway compartment;

Two issues:
 - Non degradable packages. (Advertisement-cum-packaging in the recent years)

Patrolling party – to check polluter around the railway tracks outside the station.

Is the judgment a great deterrent? How it can be implemented? Warning the public?

Garbage bins in the compartment – should not be thrown in general pool – it needs to be processed;

Tribunal has judicial power – maximum 3 years jail and can impose fine up to Rs.1 crore;

 Burning of the dry green leaves is more toxic than the vehicle exhaust. Rather It should processed to manure;

Law is a means to end, not end in itself. People mindset & cooperation is essential;

Know more about NGT:

http://www.greentribunal.gov.in/history.aspx

http://www.greentribunal.gov.in/Writereaddata/Downloads/NGT-fin.pdf