NGT Denies Stay on Waste Facility Near Elephant Corridor

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has refused to grant an interim relief against the proposed common bio-medical waste treatment and plastic waste management facility in Sitarganj, located in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district. The tribunal stated that such an order could not be passed without hearing the respondents. The bench has scheduled the next hearing for July 29, mandating respondents to submit their replies at least a day prior.

This decision comes after a petition filed by Harjeet Singh challenged the environmental clearance granted by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority to National Biomedical Waste Solutions Pvt Ltd. The petitioner alleges that the clearance was secured through the suppression of material facts and false declarations. Specific concerns include the project's proximity to a reserved forest, approximately 200 meters away, and a notified elephant corridor, with claims that forest and wildlife considerations were overlooked. The petition further asserts that mandatory conditions, such as developing a green belt and wildlife management plans, have not been met.