NGT Raps MoEF for Inadequate Environmental Monitoring
The National Green Tribunal has rapped the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) over compliance of conditions mentioned in environmental clearances granted for projects, saying the mechanism for monitoring environmental norms is inadequate. The green panel said compliance of conditions of environmental clearance must be monitored on periodical basis, atleast once in a quarter.A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said there is poor monitoring and there are huge gaps in laying down of conditions and its enforcement. It asked the Environment Ministry to review and strengthen the mechanism for the purpose. It directed the ministry to take effective steps to discharge its constitutional obligation to advance 'Precautionary' and 'Sustainable Development' principles and also the 'Public Trust Doctrine'. "We need not repeat the observations with regard to the acknowledged deficiencies in the existing mechanism which urgently needs to be remedied. Let affidavit of compliance be filed before the next date by e-mail," the bench said. The matter is listed for hearing on December 17.
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