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India Gazette
an hour ago
- Health
- India Gazette
NGT observes International Yoga Day 2025 with Unity and Purpose
New Delhi [India], June 21(ANI): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) observed the International Day of Yoga 2025 with a vibrant and purposeful yoga session at its Principal Bench in New Delhi. The event was graced by the presence of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the NGT, alongside other distinguished Members of the Tribunal. Celebrating this year's global theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', the gathering highlighted yoga's enduring relevance in nurturing both personal wellness and environmental mindfulness. In his address, Justice Shrivastava emphasised yoga's transformative power, describing it as 'a way of life that instills discipline, harmony, and mindfulness -- values essential for both individual well-being and environmental consciousness.' The session commenced with a guided practice led by certified instructors, who introduced participants to a balanced routine of asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and dhyana (meditation). The atmosphere was marked by serenity, focus, and a shared commitment to holistic welcomed the initiative as a timely reminder of the importance of grounding oneself through wellness practices amid the demands of contemporary life. The International Day of Yoga, celebrated globally each year on 21 June, was established by the United Nations in 2014 to honour and promote the practice of yoga. Recognising its profound impact on both physical and mental health, the UN sought to encourage the widespread adoption of this ancient Indian discipline as a means of fostering holistic well-being worldwide. Earlier in Visakhapatnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the international community to embrace 'inner peace' as a 'global policy' and make yoga a collective global responsibility. Speaking at the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations, the Prime Minister called upon countries to adopt yoga not just as a personal or cultural practice, but as a unifying force for humanity. 'I would like to take this opportunity to urge the global community on this important occasion to let this International Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity. Let this be the day when inner peace becomes a global policy, where yoga is embraced not just as a personal practice, but as a powerful tool for global partnership and unity. Let every country and every society make yoga a shared responsibility, a common contribution toward collective well-being,' the Prime Minister said. (ANI)
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NGT slams UP govt over gaps in sewage, waste mgmt report
Agra: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Uttar Pradesh (UP) govt, citing several shortcomings in its report on the status of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and solid and liquid waste management across various districts of the state, including Agra. A three-member bench comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, in its order released on Saturday, has directed the state to address the deficiencies and submit a revised report in a prescribed format ahead of the next hearing on July 28. According to the green tribunal's six-page order, the state govt's report, dated April 16 and submitted on May 24, "failed to identify critical gaps and did not comply with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and relevant Supreme Court (SC) directives". "Against the disclosure of 95% waste processing capacity (19,014 tons per day), the actual segregated waste stands at only 74% (14,884 TPD). This discrepancy needs clarification," the order stated. It further noted that the report failed to explain the operation of waste processing plants lacking mandatory authorisation under the SWM Rules. The tribunal pointed out that while the report covered waste generation in 762 urban local bodies (ULBs), it did not specify the actual quantity of waste being processed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký It also questioned the claim of 100% remediation of legacy waste at 60 sites, stating that no supporting evidence had been provided. Legacy waste refers to solid waste that has been collected and left untreated for years in landfills or open grounds. "Figures indicate that 60 sites have been remediated and only 26 remain with legacy waste. However, since many ULBs still lack processing facilities, there must be specific disclosure of legacy waste in those areas," the order said. Additionally, the NGT noted the absence of details on the operational status of waste-to-energy plants. The NGT also raised concerns regarding discrepancies in the planning and distribution of STPs. It pointed out that while some cities like Agra, Bijnor, Anupshahar, Chitrakoot Karwi, Pilkhuva, Kannauj, and Bela Pratapgarh have STPs with excessive capacity relative to sewage generation, many others, including Bahraich, Banda, Deoria, Fatehpur, Gonda, Hathras, Sambhal and Bhadohi, do not have STPs at all. It also flagged anomalies such as the case of Garh Mukteshwar, which reports zero sewage generation but has two STPs. The court was hearing the matter in the context of a 2018 SC ruling in Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & others vs. Union of India & others, which issued key directives for controlling river pollution and improving the treatment of industrial and domestic waste. The apex court had mandated municipalities to ensure functioning STPs and set deadlines for new STPs and common effluent treatment Plants (CETPs), while also allowing the UP govt to approach the NGT to seek modifications in the implementation timelines. The NGT was tasked with monitoring compliance.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
National Green Tribunal points out gaps in Uttar Pradesh govt report on STPs, sewage waste management
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised serious objections to the Uttar Pradesh government's report on the status of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Sewage Waste Management (SWM) submitted to the tribunal. Directing the government to fill the gaps, a three-member bench of NGT comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A. Senthil Vel passed the order on May 26. The tribunal also handed over a prescribed format to the state government in which details have to be submitted before the next hearing on July 28. 'Report dated 16.04.2025 filed on 24.5.2025 disclosing the status of solid and liquid waste management does not point out gaps plugged thereby not complying with SWM Rules, Water Act and order of the Supreme Court,' the tribunal said. Anomalies pointed out by tribunal Against disclosure of 95% waste processing facilities (19,014 TDP or tons per day), the quantity of segregated waste is 74% (14,884 TPD). This anomaly needs to be clarified. No clarification was given on the operation of waste processing plants without authorisation under the SWM Rules. The report discloses figures of waste generation in 762 local bodies, but does not reveal the actual waste processed by urban local bodies. The report says there has been 100% remediation of legacy waste at 60 sites but no material has been placed on record in support of this claim. Figures disclosed indicate 60 sites remediated and only 26 sites are left with legacy waste. Since, in other ULBs, waste processing facilities do not exist, specific disclosure of legacy waste in such ULBs should be pointed out. No disclosure has been made on the operational status of waste-to-energy plants. Legacy waste Legacy waste refers to accumulated solid waste that has been improperly collected and stored for an extended period, often in landfills or dumpsites. It is essentially a backlog of waste that was not managed effectively and has created a significant environmental problem. Sewage management In view of sewage generation of 5,500 MLD (million litres per day) and installed treatment capacity of 4,651 MLD (but treating only 3,122 MLD), the gap in treatment comes to 2,378 MLD. Untreated sewage is being discharged into the environment, which is evidenced by the disclosure that only 21.08 lakh households (HH) are connected to the sewerage system out of 52.17 lakh houses in 17 municipal corporations. STPs have been designed in excessive capacities compared to sewage generation in Agra, Bijnor, Anupshahar, Chirakoot Karwi, Pilkhuva, Kannauj, Bela, Pratapgarh and other cities. But many urban local bodies do not have STPs, including Bahraich, Banda, Deoria, Fatehpur, Gonda, Hathras, Sambhal and Bhadohi. THE CASE In 2018, the Supreme Court in the 'Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors' case issued key directions regarding environmental protection, particularly river pollution and industrial waste treatment. The top court made it compulsory for industries to install and maintain functional primary effluent treatment plants (PETPs) within a specific timeframe. SC directed the municipalities to operate existing STPs and established timelines for setting up of common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) and STPs. The apex court also emphasized on the responsibility of municipalities to ensure public health, sanitation, and solid waste management. The Supreme Court permitted Uttar Pradesh to approach NGT with an application regarding the feasibility of the time lines set by the top court. The NGT was tasked with monitoring compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Plastic peril is real and change begins with us, says NGT chairperson
NEW DELHI: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, said that the plastic, in its myriad forms, has become an indispensable part of our lives, yet its convenience masks a devastating reality and from the single-use plastic bags that clog our drains and pollute our water bodies to the microplastics that infiltrate our food chain and even our own bodies, the hazards are undeniable. Citing the 2025 World Environment Day theme, 'End Plastic Pollution,' the NGT chief underscored the urgent need to acknowledge the inextricable link between environmental health and human survival. 'The health of our planet directly affects all living beings. The NGT stands as a sentinel for environmental protection, but our efforts alone are insufficient without the active participation of every citizen,' he said. Justice Shrivastava detailed the environmental toll of unchecked plastic use, which he described as not just a marine crisis but an existential one. 'This non-biodegradable menace harms marine life, suffocates terrestrial ecosystems, leaches harmful chemicals into our soil and water, and contributes significantly to air pollution when incinerated, releasing toxic fumes,' he explained. While highlighting the tribunal's ongoing legal directives and regulatory efforts to rein in plastic use, the chairperson said structural change must be supported by personal responsibility. 'True change begins at the individual level. So, what measures can each of us, as responsible citizens, undertake to combat this plastic peril?' he asked, offering a set of everyday practices. Among the suggestions: refuse single-use plastics, carry reusable cloth bags and water bottles, reduce consumption of plastic-packaged goods, reuse items wherever feasible, and ensure proper waste segregation. 'Support local initiatives that collect and recycle plastic,' he urged.
Mint
03-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
Pigeon droppings can put your lungs at risk: What NGT notice to Delhi govt says on capital's pesky pests
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Delhi government and civic authorities, following a plea that claims that unchecked feeding and proliferation of pigeons lead to pigeon droppings across the city, which in turn causes health and environmental hazards, according to a press release. This is the second time the issue has drawn the Delhi government's attention. In 2024, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi proposed a complete ban on pigeon feeding, blaming the growing number of these birds in the capital, causing severe health hazards among children and the elderly. The Tribunal's bench, led by Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Ved, mentioned, citing the plea that pigeon droppings are accumulating on footpaths, pavements and traffic islands across Delhi and surrounding regions. 'When these feeding areas are swept, then the toxic particulars of dried droppings mix with the dust, pollute the environment and cause adverse health effects,' they added. The plea flagged hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a serious lung disease linked to exposure to bird droppings, as a key concern. In the longer run, the germs found in pigeon droppings can lead to lung scarring and breathing difficulties. In the May 29, 2025, order, the NGT said the case raises 'substantial issues' regarding environmental compliance and directed the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Public Works Department, and other relevant authorities to respond via affidavit, a written document that can be used as evidence in court. The matter is under further consideration as the hearing has been posted on October 8, 2025. The NGT is a specialised judicial body in India, currently headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava. Under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the green tribunal is responsible for handling cases related to environmental protection and the conservation of forests and natural resources.
