Latest news with #HSPCB
Time of India
3 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Golf Course Road testing ground for state's 1st plastic-free urban stretch
Gurgaon: Starting with Golf Course Road, Haryana's pollution control board HSPCB will start handing out eco-friendly items to residents and businesses to help the city eliminate single-use plastics. HSPCB officials told TOI they will launch the initiative from the Golf Course Road and cover a radius of one kilometre in the first week of Aug. The drive will include commercial buildings, residential societies, schools and roadside vendors. The idea is simple, officials said, eliminate single-use plastic from one of the city's most prominent stretches and set a precedent for sustainable urban lifestyle. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Instead of taking penal action for flouting the ban on single-use plastics, the board is opting for a transition phase that gives people time and tools to adapt. Over the next three months, HSPCB teams will provide paper, cloth and biodegradable alternatives of single-use plastics to residents and businesses. A buffer stock of biodegradable materials is being built to support the change. "We want this to be real, not symbolic. It's not enough to ban plastic; we need to make sure people have substitutes before we ask them to stop using it," said Akanksha Tanwar, HSPCB regional officer, Gurgaon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo This preparation period, officials believe, will reduce resistance and confusion when enforcement begins. HSPCB is also working with resident welfare associations (RWAs) to drive awareness campaigns. Engagement with vendors and shopkeepers, often the biggest users of disposable plastic, is part of the strategy too. "If this pilot on Golf Course Road works, the model will be gradually expanded to other parts of the district. The idea is to treat this stretch as a testing ground for how to go plastic-free in a real-world setting," Tanwar said. Around 14% of all plastic waste generated in the state ends up in landfills, according to an annual report published by HSPCB last year. The state recycles approximately 78% of its plastic waste, the report said, but it also pointed out an alarming rise in plastic waste generation – a 38% increase from 129,866.7 tonnes in 2022-23 to 179,406.5 tonnes the next fiscal year. This is despite the ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) imposed nationwide from July 1, 2022. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, straws, cutlery, plates, food and beverage containers, coffee cups and lids, drink stirrers, cigarette butts, balloons and balloon sticks, wrappers, wet wipes, and most plastic packaging designed to be used once and discarded. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), plastic packaging that is not covered under the ban and is abundantly used to pack processed food items contributes to 60% of the waste generated. Data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says the world produces over 300 million metric tonnes (MT) of plastic every year. Of this, 14 million MT ends up in the ocean. It estimates that India generates 3.5 million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, or around 9,500 MT daily, and the country's waste generation has doubled over the past five years. "While the intent behind India's plastic ban has been commendable, enforcement has largely fallen short due to inadequate alternatives, patchy monitoring and a lack of coordinated waste management. That said, I am cautiously optimistic about the focused approach being tried on Golf Course Road. If authorities ensure genuine availability of eco-friendly substitutes and involve communities actively, this pilot could set a practical example for other regions to follow," said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at CSE.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Heritage peepals chopped, NGT wants green fines for violations
Gurgaon: National Green Tribunal (NGT) took note of the illegal felling of heritage peepal trees by Faridabad Animal Husbandry department on its office premises, which violated tree-cutting conditions that required transplantation. In a hearing on July 16, the principal bench, headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, noted that while felling permission was granted with conditions, the department cut down at least eight ficus trees—including five peepal trees—without fulfilling the requirement to transplant them. The order came in response to a petition filed by Viyana Berwal and others, who raised concerns over the act being committed on govt land. Following the petition, a joint committee constituted by the tribunal visited the site and found evidence of the violations. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon According to the committee's report submitted in Jan, the agency received permission to cut 52 trees on the condition that it would plant 260 saplings and transplant 8 ficus trees. However, during inspection, the six trees were found felled without evidence of transplantation. Moreover, the report said that the user agency was to plant five times the number of trees and transplant 8 ficus trees along with submission of the land plan for plantation, but deputy director of Animal Husbandry Department violated the condition and cut down 8 ficus trees instead of transplanting them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "During the joint committee visit to the said premises, stumps of 3 peepal trees and 3 other ficus trees were found. Despite obtaining felling permission, the user agency was found to have violated condition number 12 of the felling permission," the report read. The tribunal took note of the report and said the violation could attract environmental compensation. "In view of the findings recorded by the joint committee, the issue of calculation and imposition of environmental compensation arises. Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has now been impleaded as respondent in this original application," read the order of the bench including chairperson Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Magistrate Sudhir Agarwal and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad. HSPCB was not originally a party in the case. The tribunal directed the board to file an affidavit calculating the environmental compensation based on the joint committee's findings and submit it a week before the next hearing, which is scheduled for Oct 16.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NGT serves notices to HSPCB and CPCB over pollution control lapses in Haryana
Gurgaon: Two years after a petition raised alarm over 21 industrial units operating in the region, National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices over alleged regulatory lapses and categorisation concerns in Panipat's Madlauda industrial area. The notices — issued on Thursday to Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) — stem from a 2023 petition by a resident of Sutana village in Panipat. The pollution boards have been asked to submit relevant documents and take appropriate steps. The matter is listed for hearing on Oct 15. The complaint alleged these units — involved in the manufacture of textiles, chemicals, pesticides and cement — engaged in potentially hazardous activities without sufficient regulatory oversight or pollution control compliance. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Among the units named was a pesticide formulation company that remained under scrutiny for its classification under the 'orange category'.The tribunal has, on earlier occasions, found several critical gaps in the inspection process of the industrial units, including a pesticide formulation company, and has raised "possible misclassification and environmental non-compliance". On Thursday, while issuing notices to HSPCB (through member secretary) and CBCP (through member secretary), the NGT order said it found "certain anomalies". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo NGT said, "No consent to operate (CTO) has been placed on record to ascertain conditions specified with the compliance. There is no mention of the quantity of scrubbed liquid, which is to be treated in effluent treatment plant (ETP), and its recirculation or for its proper management. Authorisation granted doesn't specify proper manifest for authorised facility for disposal of residue emerging out of ETP." "There is no disclosure about the performance of scrubbers, exhaust emissions if any and specific mention on operation of the unit in question on ZLD mode. The requirement of on-site crisis management plan as per necessity under MSIHC rules needs to be ascertained," said the order. In multiple orders spanning from Sept 2023 to July 2025, NGT bench, led by the chairperson, questioned whether the company operations, especially those involving the mixing and processing of technical-grade pesticides, warranted stricter classification.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Yamunanagar faces pollution crisis: 8 formaldehyde plants under scrutiny of pollution board
Yamunanagar: As the 15-day deadline given to eight formaldehyde manufacturing units in Yamunanagar by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), it raises serious questions about the next course of action by the district administration. These units were and are still operating without mandatory environmental clearances and in violation of the Water Act and Air Act and the order of the Supreme Court. As per Sudhir Mohan, Executive Regional Officer (ERO) of the Yamunanagar of HSPCB, plant owners were issued notices on June 21 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. They were asked to show cause why prosecution, closure orders, and environmental compensation should not be initiated against them. These eight units are established in different parts of Yamunanagar district including Yamunanagar, Jathlana, Jagadhri, Chhachhrauli, Radaur and others. ERO Sudhir said these units have submitted their replies after the notices, which are currently under scrutiny. He said after the scrutiny the report will be sent to the HSPCB headquarters for further action. The HSPCB in its notices warned that if they fail to meet the required environmental standards and secure Environmental Clearance (EC), closure notices will be issued. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Pay Full Price for 2025's Top Games! Shop Now Undo The fate of these formaldehyde units could have a ripple effect on the local plywood industry. Formaldehyde is an essential chemical used in the production of resin, which binds plywood layers together. Without it, the industry cannot function. This chemical's pollution has cancer causing substances, said Yamunanagar deputy civil surgeon. According to JK Bihani, District President of the Plywood Factory Association, 'Formaldehyde is the backbone of the plywood industry. If these plants shut down, over 160 active plywood units could follow, especially when 190 have already closed due to recession.' Formaldehyde is classified as a hazardous chemical known to cause health issues like cancer, respiratory irritation, allergies, and skin problems. Its industrial use, especially in adhesive resins, requires strict regulation and environmental approval, which many of the plants had reportedly bypassed for years. Officials say a final decision on enforcement actions, including possible shutdowns, will be made after examining the responses submitted by the plant operators. As scrutiny continues, the region's critical plywood manufacturing economy hangs in the balance. Yamunanagar deputy civil surgeon Dr Divya Mangla said, 'When formaldehyde is dissolved in water, it is very hazardous for the human body. It can lead to irritation, respiratory problems and even can lead to cancer. It is very important to stop pollution from this chemical and protect air, water and the environment for better human health.' With the deadline now passed and the stakes high, the coming days will be crucial for Yamunanagar's environment and economy alike.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Industrial units with no permits operate in Gurgaon, flouting green norms
Gurgaon: Scores of industrial units are operating in the city without environmental permits as authorities struggle to control unchecked pollution in areas already burdened by sewage overflows and encroachment. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) said in a July 2 right to information (RTI) reply that 281 industrial units in Gurgaon have been granted mandatory environmental consent to operate. Activists allege there are hundreds more industrial units that have been functioning without any approvals. These illegal factories are clustered in and around Basai, Kankrola, Badshapur and Dhanwapur. They operate without basic pollution controls such as effluent treatment systems. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon "Though the official number is 281, ground reality is far more alarming. In areas like Basai and Kankrola, there are several unauthorised industrial units. These are hotspots of unregulated pollution," said Delhi-based activist Varun Gulati. Most of these units are involved in manufacturing garment and textile, milk packaging, snacks, rubber parts, sealants and synthetic glues. Some of them handle metal scrap, or dismantle electronic waste too. "Many of these industries are ghost operators that don't follow basic rules like effluent treatment. When complaints are filed, they can't be traced," Gulati, who tracks violations in the district, said. The unauthorised units often operate in zones not designated for industry or on the fringes of residential areas, worsening health risks for those living nearby. "Pollution stress in these areas is no longer a hidden issue. It's visible in the water, in the air, and in the rising health risks to nearby communities," said Vivek Kamboj, an environmentalist. Despite multiple complaints, action by pollution control authorities has remained limited to show-cause notices or temporary shutdowns. There is no database to track illegal or unregistered units across the district. "The biggest failure is in enforcement. Pollution control isn't just about paperwork, it's about actually going into these industrial pockets and shutting down operations that poison the environment," said said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment. Activists demand that district authorities need to carry out ground-level surveys, satellite-based mapping and real-time inspection systems to track compliance in the rapidly growing city. A senior HSPCB official acknowledged the problem and said the board is aware of illegal units in Basai and Kankrola. "Enforcement drives are being intensified, and action will be taken against units operating without valid consent. No industry has the right to pollute unchecked," the official said.
