Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Andaman Chamber of Commerce Industry & Others/ Hotel Sentinel & Others Vs. The Andaman & Nicobar Administration dated 26/04/2018 regarding non-compliance of environmental regulations by hotels operating in A&N Islands. Counsel for the A&N Pollution Control Committee informs the Court that inspections conducted reveal large scale non-compliance with regard to 84 hotels and resorts as well as 19 automobile service centres as they were found not to have functional STPs/ETPs.

NGT Eastern Bench directs the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, the Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest, A&N Islands and the Chairman and the Member Secretary, A&N Pollution Control Committee to comply with the following:-

(i) The Pollution Control Committee to submit report on further action taken consequential to the notices of closure and the reported non-compliance of the closure orders;

(ii) The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration and the Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest to submit a report on the discharge of effluent, waste water and municipal solid waste in the coastal areas.

They shall also file a report on the mitigation measures taken for the protection of marine ecology which would include the coral reefs and other vulnerable marine flora and fauna.