NGT directs MPCB to calculate environ compensation on MBDB
   Date :20-Sep-2022

NGT  
 
 
 
Staff Reporter
The Pune Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to calculate the environmental compensation and make Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board (MBDB) to pay for violation of environment norms.
The Tribunal ordered MPCB to complete the procedure within a period of two months and impose the compensation on MBDB. “Calculate the compensation amount in accordance with rules and proceed to realise the same within a period of two months after giving opportunity of hearing to MBDB,” said the tribunal.
MBDB had set up a chemical treatment plant for bamboo processing within the Gorewada Reserve Forest without Forest Clearance within the reserve forest areas. The Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 prohibits unauthorised use of forest land for any non-forest purpose without prior approval from the Central Government.
Earlier, the Tribunal directed MBDB to close the industrial unit constructed in forest land in violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and also to restore the area to its original position. It also directed Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and MPCB to ensure that the entire forest areas and water streams polluted due to the activities be restored to their original condition. The Tribunal in its order said, “We are of the opinion that MBDB will be treated to have committed violation of Section 2 of Forest Conservation Act by not
taking permission from the Central Government for use of any part of the land in question which was given to them for the purpose of plantation for being used for research purpose.”
It further said, “They have used the said place for the purpose of running a plant for conducting chemical processing of bamboo without having any valid Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the MPCB. Therefore, we decide that the facility of chemical treatment of bamboo plant will fall in the category of non-forest activity which will require permission to be taken from the Central Government.”
Along with the environment compensation, the Tribunal also directed MPCB to ensure the forest area is restored to its original condition by the MBDB to reduce the pollution in the reserve forest.