The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a decisive step in addressing environmental concerns by forming a fresh committee to investigate allegations against a distillery in Himachal Pradesh's picturesque Kasauli region, accused of polluting a vital natural water source.
The tribunal's decision to constitute a new panel comes in response to ongoing grievances regarding the Mohan Meakin distillery, which stands accused of discharging harmful effluents into the pristine Kasauli Kund located in Solan district.
During the proceedings, a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the submission of a previous report by a joint committee, comprising representatives from the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), as well as the district magistrate (DM) of Solan, among others.
However, the tribunal expressed dissatisfaction with the report, citing a lack of "material particulars."
The bench, which also includes judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, emphasised the need for a comprehensive examination of the allegations to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing environmental violations.
"The credibility of the entire report is doubtful," the bench said in an order passed on April 9.
The tribunal noted the submissions of the project proponent (Mohan Meakin) about using water from three sources, the on-source groundwater for which permission was obtained, and two natural springs for which there was no permission.
"The PP is required to disclose as to how it is utilising the water from two sources of spring existing within the premises without permission," it said.
The tribunal said it required a fresh report from an independent panel and formed a joint committee comprising the DM of Solan, member secretary of HPPCB, a representative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change not below the rank of ‘Scientist E’, and a representative of the CPCB's Delhi office.
"Committee will visit the site, collect all the relevant information relating to compliance of norms by the PP, get the sample analysis done for this purpose and submit the report," the green panel said.
The tribunal allowed the PPs prayer to permit it to submit its reply within four weeks. The matter has been listed on July 22 for further proceedings.
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