In Uttar Pradesh, NGT has declared the tent city established on the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi as illegal. NGT has ordered to recover environmental compensation from the project proponents. NGT directed that in future, no tent city or similar activity in violation of environmental norms will be allowed on the banks, flood zones or river beds of river Ganga or its tributaries.
The project was being operated without permission from the Pollution Board
NGT said that these projects were being operated without obtaining permission to operate from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board. The NGT said the tent cities were established and operated in violation of environmental laws and the Ganga River (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Authority Order, 2016.
The NGT said that the tent cities operated by M/s Praveg Communications (India) Limited and M/s Neeran The Tent City were established in the river bed and floodplain of river Ganga without the mandatory prior approval of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
Environmental compensation of about Rs 17 lakhs imposed
NGT imposed environmental compensation of Rs 17,12,500 on both the project proponents for violations during the period from January 15, 2023 to May 31, 2023. NGT directed UPBCBP and the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Uttar Pradesh Government to ensure recovery of compensation within three months.
