Green Tribunal cracks the whip to prevent ecological damage to Western Ghats in TN
Chennai (PTI): The National Green Tribunal, Southern Zone (NGT-SZ), has directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to pass appropriate orders in a matter related to unauthorized brick kilns exploiting the Western Ghats region, which is leading to ecological damage.
On its own, the Tribunal had initiated action on the issue.
Since there was no provision to regulate the activities of such units and to prevent ecological damage, the NGT-SZ had taken cognizance based on a Tamil daily's reportage on April 14, 2021. Subsequently, proceedings were initiated by the TNPCB as well as the mining authorities.
Following a hearing on the matter, in its order on Tuesday, the Tribunal referred to the Board's report on determination of compensation.
Environmental compensation was fixed for the brick kiln units in five specific villages as per a Central Pollution Control Board formula. It was to recover compensation for the damages caused to the environment by the brick kiln units under the "polluter pays" principle.
All the 185 brick kiln units (Coimbatore/western region) were issued show cause notice and the compensation payable by them. Each of the individual unit is called upon to pay the compensation amount of Rs 32 lakh approximately.
The counsel appearing for the brick manufacturers’ association stated that, barring two of the owners, the rest of them had been served notices and they were in the process of filing replies.
Brick kiln units were operating without taking necessary permission from appropriate authorities. "When mining without appropriate approvals from the authorities, these units took advantage of the same. Now, when the authorities are imposing environmental compensation and penalty under the Minor Mineral Rules, they cannot object to the same," the order said.
Judicial member Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal said that, on receipt of replies to show cause notice, the individual units are "directed to appear before the Board and submit what all are their objections and the Pollution Control Board is directed to pass appropriate order."
The Board was directed to complete proceedings by conducting an enquiry after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the individuals and then pass necessary orders within a period of six weeks. The NGT-SZ posted the matter for further hearing on November 1, 2022.
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Collision between container lorry and private bus in Kasaragod leaves 4 injured, including driver
Kasaragod: A collision between a container lorry and a private bus near the Uppala gate of the national highway in Kasaragod this morning, has resulted in injuries to four individuals, including the bus driver.
According to reports, the accident occurred when a container lorry attempted to overtake a bus that had stopped on the roadside to unload passengers. The lorry collided head-on with another bus approaching from the opposite direction.
Bus driver Ashraf and four passengers sustained injuries in the collision. The impact of the crash crushed the front of the bus, trapping the driver inside. Thankfully, bystanders were able to extricate the trapped driver from the wreckage.
Following the accident, traffic on the national highway was disrupted. The police from the Manjeshwar police station arrived at the scene to manage traffic flow.
The bus involved in the accident was en route from Talapadi to Kasaragod, while the lorry was traveling to Mangaluru. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras, aiding in the investigation of the collision.
