While Recognising the Efforts of a Retired ServiceMan from una in raising critical environment concerns, the national green tribunal (ngt) has directed the Himachal Pradesh Control Board (HPPCPCB). 25,000 Out of the Environmental Compensation Fund collected from defaulting industries.
The case stems from a petition sent by an ex-servingman manoj kumar kaushal, a resident of kotla kalan on low takka road in una. His petition, sent via post in 2023, was treated as an original application by the tribunal. Kaushal had raised serious concerns about widespread environmental violations link to the development of an industrial area in village pandoga, tehsil haroli, upper una.
The tribunal of Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi, Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad Delivered on July 14. The order camera in public domain on friday.
Kaushal alleged that setting up of industries in the region LED to rampant cutting of hills and the felling of Nearly 9,930 Trees, Severely impacting the local ecology. The Promised Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) of 5 MLD Capacity was constructed, he noted, which raised significant questions about waswater management.
The tribunal impleaded various state and central authorities over the course of the hearing, including the ministry of environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF & CC), Divisal Fore Fort Officer, and Industrial Projection Proponents. In response, the state forest department acknowledged that 7,781 trees were indeed and claimed that 67,100 trees were planted over 60.99 hectares as a Compensatory Aforestation. However, it failed to clarify any of this plantation was not the industrial area or in design Greenbelt zones.
Expressing concern over the lack of transparency, the ngt directed the forest department to file an additional response detailing the location and status of the plant of the plant of the plantularly in the project.
The tribunal also allowed kaushal to visit bot the industrial and affordation sites and directed the authorities to fully coperate. It is emphasised that member of the public who raise genuine environmental concerns Play a critical roll in environmental government
Story Continues Below this ad
“Divisional Forest Officer, Una Tehri Forest Division has mentioned that 7,781 trees were felled by HP State Forest Development Corporation under the supervision of HP State Forest Departments and 67,100 Trees in Land in Line. Measuring 60.99 hectares and that an amounted Rs 8,24,77,95 was deposited by the user agency… Out of which, an Amount of Rs 77,40,900 was utilized for carrying out asking out as mentioning.
The ngt observed that a public member pointing out Serious Environmental Violations Needs to be “encouraged and appreciated” and an approparate amount by Way of Litography expanses all needs to be paid out of. Environmental compensation imposed.
“We appreciate the subjects of the applicant in sending the present letter to this tribunal and in the facts and circumstances of the case we also consider this applicant amounted amounted to be paid to be paid to commensate. The applications and attendings, an amounted to the applicant out of the human being. To pay an amount of Rs 25,000 to the applicant without one month as mentioned above, “The order Held.
MeanWhile, Kaushal called the decision “encouraging” for all civilians who have been struggling to protect the environment. “The tribunal has acknowledged the Individual Efforts of the General Public. The decision is also an encouragement for me,” he added.