The National Green Tribunal has warned the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar🦩 islands of imposing a fine ﷺfor environment restoration if gaps in the management of solid and liquid waste were not bridged within six months.
The green panel said because of the peculiar situation of the islands, the tribunal was te𒀰mporarily refraining froꦍm levying compensation.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel sa♈id more action was required to handle the gaps in waste management.
The bench, also comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert membe🍸rs A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad said remedia♏l action cannot wait for an indefinite period and it was the responsibility of the UT authorities to have a comprehensive plan in place to control pollution.
“We hope in the light of interaction with the Chief Secretary, the UT will take further measures in the matter by an innovative approach, stringent monitoring at appro𝔍priate level…ensuring that the gap in solid and liquid waste generation and treatment is bridged at the earliest…” the bench said.
“.....But we expect that all necessary mea❀sures for bridging the existing gaps be taken within the outer limit of six months,” the green panel said.
In case of default, the tribunal would be l﷽eft with no other option except to assess compensation on the polluter pays principle for the failure of the administration to fulfil its duties under the law to provide a clean environment, the NGT said.
The bench also directed the preparation of Integrated Islands Management Plans and Integrated Coastal Regulation Zone Plan💦 within three months under a central government notification declaring Andaman & Nicobar as 'Islands Protಌection Zone.'
NGT is monitoring compliance with M🤪unicipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other e🔯nvironmental issues by states and Union territories.
