NGT Says Notification on Ground Water
05, Jan 2019
Prelims level : Environmental conservation
Mains level : GS 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Context:
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has termed the suggestion by Union Water Resources Ministry to have ‘Water Conservation free’ as “unsustainable”
Details:
- The NGT has asked to lay down stricter norms for extraction of groundwater for commercial purposes and place a robust mechanism for surveillance and monitoring.
- It further said that levying of conservation fee would only liberalise extraction of groundwater and lead to groundwater crisis and will have unlikely impact on environment. It added that levying fee will virtually give license to harness groundwater to extreme extent. Hence the NGT has asked the Centre to “not give effect” to this suggestion.
About National Green tribunal:
- The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
- The responsibilities also include enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
- The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, is guided by principles of natural justice.
- The Tribunal’s dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters shall provide speedy environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts.
- The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.