The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Saturday took action in response to Delhi's deteriorating air quality and the environmental effects of stubble burning in Punjab. The NGT has issued notices and requested action-taken reports on air quality issues in the national capital from various authorities, including the Delhi chief secretary, the Union environment ministry, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), news agency PTI reported.
As per the report, the NGT's action stems from its own initiative, which was launched in response to media reports highlighting Delhi's worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) and violations of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which imposes stricter measures to combat air pollution during the winter months.
Noting the gravity of the situation, a bench comprised of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel expressed concern that, despite government efforts, air pollution in Delhi continues to worsen, endangering residents' health. As a result, the tribunal summoned and served notices on various authorities, including the chief secretary of Delhi, the member-secretary of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the commissioner of MCD, the member-secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), it said.
The NGT has directed these authorities to provide action-taken reports aligned with the GRAP aimed at controlling air pollution from various sources in Delhi in order to maintain an acceptable AQI and protect public health, particularly in light of the upcoming winter season. The case is set to go to trial again on November 8, it added further.
Furthermore, the NGT has expressed concern about stubble burning in Punjab, which contributes significantly to air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), according to the report. In response to media reports highlighting an increase in farm fire incidents in Punjab, the tribunal issued notices to the Punjab chief secretary and the member-secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The NGT emphasised the importance of effective stubble burning control measures and urged state authorities, including the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), to identify and prioritise the worst-affected areas within hotspot districts. During the critical period when stubble burning typically occurs between September 15 and November 30, the tribunal also called for vigilant monitoring and corrective measures, including penalties.
Furthermore, the NGT acknowledged a report by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the NCR and surrounding areas that detailed incidents of stubble burning in 2022 and set reduction targets for this year. The tribunal emphasised the importance of effective on-the-ground action in meeting these goals and directed the PPCB to prepare and submit a crop residue management plan by area. The issue will be discussed further on November 8.