: The National Green Tribunal on Thursday announced a penalty of Rs. 5,000 on anyone who is found dumping waste in the Aravalli Forest.
The order came on a plea filed by environmentalist Vivek Kamboj, who had alleged that municipal corporations of Gurgaon and Faridabad were dumping industrial waste and construction debris in forest areas on the Gurgaon-Faridabad road. He had also produced photographs showing that tractors which were involved in dumping of waste belonged to HUDA and the Gurgaon civic body.
NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said: “The authorities are also at liberty to seize the vehicles involved in throwing muck in that area.” He added that there would be proper check points on roads and near the Aravalli hills.
The green court also directed Police Commissioners of Gurgaon and Faridabad to ensure that the orders are fully complied with, and posted the matter for hearing on July 13. A compliance report will also have to be submitted before July 13.
On January 22, the Tribunal had restrained Haryana Urban Development Authority and Gurgaon Municipal Corporation from dumping waste in the forest, and issued them notices to show cause as to why environmental compensation should not be imposed on them.
