Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding stone crushers in district Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, 26/10/2021

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vinod Kumar Jangra Vs State of Haryana & Others dated 26/10/2021.

The issue for consideration is the remedial action for enforcement of the environmental norms under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 by the stone crushers in district Charkhi Dadri, Haryana.

According to the applicant, as per the RTI response of Haryana State PCB, June 18, 2019 - 260 stone crushers are in operation in the district Charkhi Dadri. The report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), July 16, 2020 said that out of 320 stone crushers, 143 were operational during the visit. 88 stone crushers were not operational. 76 stone crushers were found closed permanently. 13 stone crushers were found nonexisting. Out of 143 operational units, 19 were found exceeding the production capacity. Out of 88 non-operational units, 14 units were found exceeding the consent production capacity.

The report of the Chief Secretary, August 17, 2020 was that disciplinary action has been taken against a Scientist and a field officer of the State PCB for giving false information.
 
The bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel, Sudhir Agarwal, Brijesh Sethi noted that solution can be considered for permitting operation of stone crushers like development of a green belt around the periphery of the area where stone crushers are located. Any other pockets of land available may also be considered for afforestation within the crushing zone to improve the micro climate. The District Administration may also undertake paving the roads in and around the crushing area in additional water sprinkling on regular basis in the interest of public health of the citizens affected by
the air pollution generated in the process, the NGT order, October 26, 2021 said.
 
The NGT directed the constitution of  joint Committee of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Haryana State Pollution Control Board  District Magistrates Charkhi Dadri and Bhiwani, jurisdictional Conservator of Forest, nominee of IIT Delhi who may be expert on the subject of air pollution and a Pulmonologist nominated by DG Health, Haryana meet within two weeks and ponder over the matter and  a report furnished within three months. 
Judgement Date: 
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Tags:
Stone Industry, Haryana, National Green Tribunal (NGT), Court, State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Air Pollution, Bhiwani (D), Air Pollution Control, Afforestation