Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vipin Kumar Vs Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board & Others dated 19/05/2023.

Grievance in the application is against operation of two brick kilns (Jai Mata brick field and Gagan brick field) in tehsil Roorkee, district Haridwar, Uttarakhand. According to the applicant, their operation is against the siting criteria laid down under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India (MoEF&CC) Notification dated February 22, 2022 issued under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.

The brick kilns in question are within the prohibited distance. For instance, Jai Mata Brick field is located within 228.219 meters from an existing brick kiln. While Gagan brick field is located within 707.441 meters of Sureshi Devi Public School and within 780.165 meters from Nirmala Devi Inter College.

The court was informed that the consent was granted to the brick kilns on January 13, 2023 and January 30, 2023 respectively - after the MoEF&CC notification, February 22. 2022.

The NGT, May 19 directed Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board to look into the matter and take remedial action in accordance with law. Further, to ascertain factual position, the court directed the constitution of an independent committee comprising the SPCB and the District Magistrate, Haridwar.

A report has to be furnished within two months. The report should mention the status of any other brick kilns operating in the vicinity of the two brick kilns.