It warned of shutting down thermal power plants and coal mines in Singrauli and Sonebhadra areas of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for causing acute air and water pollution, asking the states whether the people there have the right to live.
While taking a tough decision to help battle alarming pollution levels, the tribunal also asked the central and state government departments not to purchase diesel vehicles and there would be no renewal of registration of diesel vehicles which are more than 10-year-old.
It directed all commercial vehicles entering Delhi to pay environmental compensation charge in addition to the toll tax and ordered that all vehicles destined for places other than Delhi shall be diverted at Panipat to take alternate route via NH-71A and NH-71 and exit at Bawal in Haryana.
Slamming the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Haryana Government for the excessive delay in construction of Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways, it directed them to complete the work expeditiously to divert the traffic from entering the capital.
Acting tough on alarming pollution level in Delhi-NCR, the Tribunal imposed a complete ban on burning of waste in open including garbage, leaves, plastic and crop residues and said violators will be fined Rs 5,000.
Noting the catastrophic effects of plastic on environment, the green bench imposed a complete ban on plastic bags in cities like Haridwar, Chandigarh and announced a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone found using or dealing with such material.
Observing that crop burning was a serious issue which contributed to global warming and environmental pollution, the green panel imposed fines ranging from Rs 2,500 to Rs 15,000 on farmers indulging in burning of agricultural residues and asked the state governments to act on the issue.
The year also witnessed imposition of massive fines on private firms and government institutions for non compliance of order and causing damage to the environment and ecology. While noting “definite negligence” and “intentional lack of will” on the part of Railways, the tribunal imposed a cost of Rs 5 lakh on the public transporter for its failure to keep tracks and platforms clean while directing rehabilitation of slum clusters located near railway tracks on “top priority”.
The tribunal slapped a fine on the Akshardham temple management here for carrying out expansion without prior environmental clearance.
Rampant illegal mining across the country being carried “right under the nose” of authorities also caught the attention of the tribunal prompting it to immediately stop such activities.
In a stern warning to authorities, the green bench warned that their accounts might be attached and officials could face punitive action as it banned mining activity on Yamuna. The green tribunal acted tough on glass and ceramic industries in Uttar Pradesh and constituted a committee to inspect the industries while directing them to collect samples of ambient air quality in the area.
Conservation of trees was another important agenda on the tribunal's list with the green panel directing Delhi government to increase the strength of the forest department. The tribunal even directed filing of a contempt petition against Delhi government for defying its orders on trees and issued notices to NHAI, Noida Metro Rail Services, UP department of forests, Noida Authority, for tree felling.
Unauthorised harnessing of groundwater for construction purposes also caught the green tribunal's attention which has issued notice to builders in Delhi-NCR and imposed hefty fines on five-star hotels, malls and hospitals for not installing proper rainwater harvesting systems in their premises.
Heeding to the plea of a United States-based neurologist, the tribunal directed the Centre to ensure no disinfectant fumigation is carried out in aircraft while passengers are on-board.
