Home / Environment / NGT Orders Probe into Illegal Brick Kilns
NGT Orders Probe into Illegal Brick Kilns
2 Jul
Summary
- NGT directs authorities to assess environmental damage from illegal brick kilns.
- Compensation must be quantified within three months for affected lands.
- APPCB to assess environmental compensation against unauthorized operators.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has mandated NTR district authorities to evaluate environmental harm stemming from unregulated brick kiln operations. This assessment, including quantifying compensation, must be completed within three months, alongside efforts to restore impacted agricultural lands and water bodies. The tribunal's directive follows a petition concerning alleged large-scale excavation of fertile soil near farmlands.
The AP Pollution Control Board is instructed to determine environmental compensation from kiln operators functioning without necessary permissions. Inspections revealed elevated PM10 levels, exceeding prescribed limits. While kilns were dismantled, the NGT emphasized that this does not negate the evidence of past environmental degradation.
Furthermore, the district collector must prevent the operation of brick kilns lacking mandatory approvals. The tahsildar will identify lands from which fertile soil was excavated and take action against responsible parties. The agriculture department will conduct soil testing, and the irrigation department will inspect local water bodies to remove obstructions and prevent future encroachments. The NGT also ordered the restoration of abandoned excavation pits and cost recovery from violators.
