“Fast-tracking consents without proper environmental assessment is a direct violation of EIA guidelines”
K Koushal
In an unprecedented move, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of alleged environmental violations in Kathua following a damning report titled “Explained: How in Violation of EIA Rules, CTE and CTO Granted to Polluting Units in Kathua,” published in The Typewriter on September 10, 2024.
The investigative report by The Typewriter shed light on serious lapses in the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms.
It revealed that several industrial units in Kathua were granted Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) without adhering to mandatory environmental checks. The units, categorized under the highly polluting “Red” category, were reportedly processed as “Orange,” bypassing stringent environmental scrutiny.
In its order dated September 30, 2024, the NGT raised alarm over these violations, emphasizing their potential to exacerbate pollution levels in the region.
The Tribunal noted, “Fast-tracking consents without proper environmental assessment is a direct violation of EIA guidelines and could have devastating ecological consequences.”
To address these serious concerns, the NGT has impleaded the Member Secretary of the J&K Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board as respondents.
“The Tribunal has directed them to submit detailed responses to the allegations by January 24, 2025,” reads the order.
Environmental activists have hailed the NGT’s action, calling it a crucial step toward accountability.
“This decision brings hope for stricter enforcement of environmental laws in the region,” said a local activist, adding that this incident has also drawn attention to the need for greater transparency in the functioning of pollution control boards.
He further added that with Kathua’s ecological balance at stake, the Tribunal’s intervention underscores the urgency of safeguarding the region from unchecked industrial expansion.
It is pertinent to mention that The Typewriter had investigated the matter and reported that District Officer PCC Kathua allegedly bypassed senior authorities in proposing Polyester Staple Fiber and B2B RBET Granules activity under orange zone, in an apparent violation of set guidelines and bypassing senior authorities. This had raised concerns as the activity falls under the red category, which requires stricter regulatory oversight.
