The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of a recent study published in Lancet Planetary Health, which has highlighted the severe impact of poor air quality on mortality rates in 10 major Indian cities.
The petition is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item dated 13.09.2024.
The study reveals that approximately 33,000 deaths annually are linked to air pollution levels that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The cities examined include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi.
As per the news item, the study’s findings show that even cities previously considered less polluted, such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai, are significantly affected.
It is alleged that this is largely due to emissions from vehicles, industrial activities, and construction dust. Furthermore, it states that children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution.
It is also alleged that exposure to high levels of PM2.5 and other pollutants leads to “male and/or female infertility.” Air pollution can lead to diminished sperm quality, hormonal disruptions, and higher miscarriage risk.
The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance of environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(1). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Through its Secretary.
(2). Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
(3). Member Secretary, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB).
(4). Member Secretary, Karnataka Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
(5). Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).
(6). Member Secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
(7). Member Secretary, Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB).
(8). Member Secretary, West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB).
(9). Member Secretary, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
(10). Member Secretary, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPPCB).
(11). Member Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents and listed the matter on 23.10.2024.
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