Current Affairs

Issue

Water supply was affected in parts of Delhi after a spike in pollutants in the river Yamuna led to a temporary closure of two water treatment plants.

 

Background

Ammonia levels in the river have reached nearly 3 parts per million (ppm), almost six times above the acceptable limit of 0.5ppm.

 

Details

• Ammonia levels increase frequently in the Yamuna in Delhi. Officials have credited this spike to industrial effluents and sewage released into the river in different parts of Haryana.

• This was caused as freshwater from the Ganga was not available to mix with raw Yamuna water, which still had high concentration of ammonia.

• The National Green Tribunal has previously made efforts for ensuring clean water and air for residents of National Capital.

 

National Green Tribunal Act

• The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 creates a special tribunal to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.

• It draws inspiration from the India's constitutional provision of India Article 21 Protection of life and personal liberty, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment. 

• 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 shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.

• The tribunal is mandated to make efforts for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.

• Initially, the NGT is proposed to be set up at five places of sittings and will follow circuit procedure for making itself more accessible; New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal, and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai shall be the other place of sitting of the Tribunal.

• The Chairperson of the NGT is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court. Other Judicial members are retired Judges of High Courts.

• Each bench of the NGT will comprise at least one Judicial Member and one Expert Member. Expert members should have a professional qualification and a minimum of 15 years experience in the field of environment/forest conservation and related subjects.

• The NGT deals with civil cases under the seven laws related to the environment, these include:

• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974,

• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977,

• The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980,

• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981,

• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,

• The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 and

• The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.