The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday directed all private and government schools and colleges in Delhi to install rainwater harvesting systems within their premises at their own cost. The institutions have been given a two-month deadline to finish the installations.
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said, “After having established and making rainwater harvesting system operative, the institution shall apply to the committee constituted under this judgment informing them about the system becoming operational.”
Committee formed
The Tribunal constituted a committee comprising senior officers of DJB, PWD, representatives from the Central Ground Water Authority and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. Further, the Bench specified that ‘a member not below the rank of Director Education’ should also be a part of this committee. Further, the green panel stated that heavy fines will be imposed on institutions found violating the orders.
“Any institution which does not comply with these directions shall be liable to pay an environmental compensation of ₹5 lakh after the expiry of the period of two months granted in this judgment” said the Bench. Additionally, the Tribunal stated that institutions unable to install a rainwater harvesting system should file an application with the committee within a month.
“The committee will inspect the premises of the institution. If the committee finds upon inspection that it is impossible to install or provide the system, then it will issue an exemption certificate to the said institution,” said the Bench.
However, the NGT laid down riders for all institutions which are granted exemptions. “The exemption shall be granted subject to payment of compensatory environmental cost, which should be utilised for providing rainwater harvesting system in the adjacent area, even if necessary in residential areas, wherever such places are available.”
The green panel directed the Chief Engineer of DJB and senior officers of the CGWA to issue design guidelines.
