Latest news with #NGT
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt renews push to rename Najafgarh drain as Sahibi river
Delhi's Najafgarh drain may soon be renamed the 'Sahibi river', with the city government submitting a fresh proposal to the State Names Authority (SNA) under the urban development department. The move is part of efforts to raise awareness about the historical river, which once flowed along the same path that is now occupied by the drain. The Sahibi River originates in Rajasthan, flows through Haryana, and enters Delhi before merging with the Yamuna. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo) The Sahibi River originates in Rajasthan, flows through Haryana, and enters Delhi before merging with the Yamuna. Within Delhi, its course is currently known as the Najafgarh drain. As part of a recent submission to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Delhi government attached digitised survey maps from 1975-76 showing the Sahibi river's original course through the Capital, now channelled as a stormwater drain. The government said a similar renaming proposal was submitted last year, but was returned by the SNA, which asked the city to first obtain concurrence from the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA). A revised proposal is now under review. Efforts to rejuvenate the channel are already underway, officials said, but rebranding it as a river is key to public engagement. 'To generate people's support, it necessitates avoiding use of the word 'drain/nala', due to the stigma and misconception associated with it—that it symbolises a channel carrying dirty water. Therefore, it's prudent to officially name or rename the channel as Sahibi River,' the Delhi government said in its NGT submission dated May 24 and uploaded on June 26. Manu Bhatnagar, principal director of the natural heritage division at the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), said the Sahibi was originally a rain-fed river, which over the past two centuries, steadily shrunk due to encroachments and agricultural expansion. 'Earlier, the water table was high, and the river sustained itself year-round. Over time, it narrowed, and parts dried up—particularly near Dharuhera in Haryana, where much of the riverbed was absorbed by farmland,' he said. 'The river merges with outfall drain number 8 in Haryana and flows toward the Dhansa Barrage and Najafgarh lake. In that sense, Najafgarh lake forms part of the Sahibi river system, with the river feeding it upstream. Downstream of the lake, the channel was once known as the Sahibi nallah—today, it exists as the Najafgarh drain,' he said. Historical records also trace the evolution of the river's identity. An 1807 Survey of India map labels it 'Saabi nala'. By 1865, the British had excavated a channel from Najafgarh lake to Wazirabad to boost cultivation, and the channel began to be referred to as the Najafgarh drain. The 1883 Gazetteer, Bhatnagar added, described the Sahibi nallah as 'a series of water-filled ditches'. The NGT is hearing a petition filed by Prakash Yadav, a resident of Kharkhara village in Haryana, who alleged that the Sahibi river is being neglected and filled with sewage, causing overflow into nearby farmland. The tribunal has sought reports from both Delhi and Haryana on actions taken for the river's restoration and the protection of surrounding areas. The Delhi SNA, which examines all name change proposals, comprises 29 members, including four MLAs and officials from various state departments. It is typically chaired by the chief minister, with the chief secretary as vice-chair. Proposals are first vetted by a subcommittee led by the principal secretary (urban development) before being placed before the SNA for final consideration. In February last year, the NGT had asked the Delhi government to clarify whether the Najafgarh drain was ever historically known as the Sahibi river and whether renaming it could aid its revival.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Invasive mussels in Ennore Creek can be converted into biofertilizers: TN govt
CHENNAI: Researchers at Dr MGR Fisheries College, Ponneri, have confirmed the potential of invasive Charru mussels in the Ennore Creek could be converted into biofertilizers and mineral mixes. Lab trials on the mussel's meat, shell and byssus thread have demonstrated their value in agriculture and aquaculture, according to a report submitted to the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Heavy metal testing, machinery procurement and a commercialisation plan involving local fisherfolk are now under way. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai This update is part of a larger ecological intervention in the Ennore Creek, where more than 2.6 lakh cubic metre of mussel-fly ash sludge has been dredged from a 1,050-metre stretch. The water resources department plans to complete dredging the remaining 650 metre by August, with funds sought from TNPCB and Tangedco for the Rs 20.85crore proposal. Meanwhile, mapping and control studies continue. The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management has completed sampling at 148 locations to identify infestation hotspots. Preliminary reports suggest native species are returning in dredged plots, offering hope for ecosystem recovery. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The invasive mussels, believed to have arrived via ballast water discharged from ships, were first reported in 2023 and they got embedded in fly ash discharged from Tangedco's thermal plant. The NGT had ordered cleanup and recovery of costs from Tangedco. Their proliferation threatens native prawn populations and disrupts the delicate ecological balance of the wetlands.
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
NGT should constitute committee to monitor saplings planted, says Eswaran of Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) should constitute a committee to monitor planting and nurturing of saplings in compensation for trees cut for infrastructure projects in the State, said Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam coordinator V. Eswaran. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) cut 2,239 trees for the Coimbatore - Pollachi road project and it had to plant almost 23,000 saplings in compensation. According to information gathered through Right to Information (RTI) Act, the NHAI planted the saplings through the District Rural Development Agency in eight panchayats at Kinathukadavu, Pollachi North, Pollachi South, and Annamalai. The NHAI earned ₹ 33.21 lakh from the trees felled for the project. Since adequate information was not available from all the eight panchayats, Mr. Eswaran and his team visited two panchayats on June 26, 2025 and found that just about 100 of the 2,000 odd saplings that were planted had survived. Mr. Eswaran said the NGT should take suo moto action on the NHAI and officials for not ensuring that the saplings planted had grown into trees. Nearly 4,351 trees were cut for the Chengapalli - Walayar road project and 13,000 saplings had to be planted. However, only 6,000 were planted, he added. With regard to the Pollachi road project, the panchayats claim that large amount of money was spent to maintain the saplings. But, the survival rate of the saplings is poor. This is because no one has taken the effort or care to maintain the saplings. This defeats the Supreme Court and High Court orders on planting saplings in compensation for trees cut for road projects. Mr. Eswaran submitted a letter to Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar demanding action on the NHAI officials and the road contractor and also to ensure that enough saplings were planted in compensation to the trees cut for the Pollachi road project.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
NGT raps MPCB over inaction, seeks response from Pune authorities in RMC pollution case
The western zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), directing several top Pune officials to respond to allegations of environmental violations and public health hazards caused by a ready-mix concrete (RMC) plant operating in the Vadgaon Budruk area. The matter was brought before the NGT through an original application filed in June 2025 involving a complaint by local resident Suyog Kelkar regarding health issues among citizens including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to prolonged exposure to cement dust and fugitive emissions from the RMC plant in question. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) In a hearing held on June 19, the NGT has directed multiple authorities – including the Pune district collector, Pune municipal commissioner, executive engineer of the Rasta Peth-Parvati division, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) Pune, and representative of the RMC plant in question – to submit their responses. The tribunal noted that all these stakeholders must explain their role, responsibility and steps taken (or lack thereof) to address the alleged violations. Meanwhile, in a separate but related submission to the NGT dated June 19, the MPCB confirmed that it had previously issued a notice of closure to the said RMC plant on June 24, 2024, based on several non-compliances observed during an inspection. Acting upon complaints from nearby residents, the board had ordered the plant to cease operations. During a subsequent visit in June 2025 however, MPCB officials found that the plant was still operating using a 320 KVA diesel generator to continue production despite the notice of closure. The MPCB, represented by advocate Manasi Joshi and Pune regional officer, stated that 'it is now in the process of taking further action against the plant, including sealing it'. However, the NGT bench comprising honourable justice Dinesh Kumar Singh (judicial member) and Dr Vijay Kulkarni (expert member) expressed strong dissatisfaction stating: 'We fail to understand as to why the said order has not been passed against the said plant till now.' The bench questioned the delay on the part of the MPCB in enforcing compliance even after documented violations. When contacted, neither the MPCB regional officer nor sub-regional officer responded to the call. The matter was brought before the NGT through an original application filed in June 2025 involving a complaint by local resident Suyog Kelkar regarding health issues among citizens including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to prolonged exposure to cement dust and fugitive emissions from the RMC plant in question. Kelkar complained that the plant's operations have led to severe degradation of air quality in the residential neighbourhood. The NGT formally admitted the original application and directed all parties to file their reply affidavits within four weeks. The matter is now listed for further hearing on July 31, 2025. The case underscores rising concerns over urban air pollution and the apparent gaps in enforcement by regulatory authorities. With growing public health implications, especially in densely populated areas like Vadgaon Budruk, intervention by the NGT is seen as a critical step towards holding lax officials and those violating environmental norms accountable.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
15 farmhouses built in protected Aravalis razed after NGT order in Gurgaon
Gurgaon: Fifteen farmhouses spread over 30 acres of Aravali land were demolished on Thursday. The demolition — following directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT) to get rid of all illegal structures in areas that are under Aravali Notification — was carried out by municipal council of Sohna. A duty magistrate was appointed by the district administration. A Sohna civic body official said, "We have notices and we are carefully hearing all the parties before carrying out demolition." You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon According to a forest department survey, at least 500 farmhouses have been built illegally on Aravali land in Gurgaon, concentrated in areas like Gwalpahari, Abheypur, Gairatpur Bas, Sohna, Raisina and Manesar. Demolitions were carried out in Raisina last week. Environmentalists said despite various demolition drives, the area is witnessing encroachment on a massive scale. Col SS Oberoi (retd), an environmentalist, said, "NGT in 2022 directed that illegal construction be razed and the area be restored, which has not yet happened." "These sporadic demolition drives will never address the issue of encroachment. The debris should be removed by the illegal farmhouse owners or by the cost of the owners so that they do not use the same material to rebuild the structures again," Oberoi said. On Dec 9, 2022, NGT instructed Haryana and Rajasthan govts to set up monitoring committees for quarterly reviews of encroachment clearance in 'gair mumkin pahar' areas in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh and Alwar. The district administration carried out demolitions on Nov 13, but unauthorised activities still persist. The tribunal also instructed chief secretaries of both states to ensure compliance with the directions. The directives were issued by an NGT bench comprising chairman Adarsh Kumar Goel, judicial member Sudhir Agarwal and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad. The 1992 Aravali notification restricts building construction, wall erection, road development and tree felling in protected areas without authorisation. Non-forest activities are prohibited on 'gair mumkin pahad' land.
