Supreme Court, NGT Tackle Air, River Pollution; Forest Land Diversion Under Scanner

The Supreme Court has mandated the Commission for Air Quality Management and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit an action plan within a week to prevent air pollution from worsening, noting that air quality monitoring stations were closed during Diwali. Concurrently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is investigating pollution in the Katha river, a tributary of the Yamuna. It has issued notices to various authorities, including the CPCB and state pollution control boards, concerning allegations of untreated sewage discharge and river encroachment. The NGT's next hearing is on February 3, 2026. Furthermore, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has stated it has not approved any proposal from Haryana for diverting forest land in the Aravallis (Rajawas village) for non-forest purposes, despite a news report indicating an e-auction of land declared as ‘protected forest’ for stone quarrying. The MoEFCC has requested a factual report from the Haryana government.

Impact: These environmental directives and investigations highlight increasing regulatory pressure and legal challenges in India. They signal potential for stricter compliance, increased operational costs for affected industries, and project delays, especially in sensitive regions. Investors should monitor regulatory developments and environmental risks for companies in mining, real estate, and infrastructure sectors. The focus may also drive investment in pollution control technologies. Impact Rating: 7/10.

Difficult Terms: * **Affidavit**: A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in court. * **Commission for Air Quality Management**: A statutory body to control and improve air quality in the National Capital Region and surrounding areas. * **Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)**: A statutory authority promoting cleanliness of streams and improving air quality. * **Diwali**: A major Hindu festival associated with fireworks and potential pollution. * **National Green Tribunal (NGT)**: A specialized environmental court to handle environmental protection cases. * **Katha river**: A tributary of the Yamuna river in Uttar Pradesh. * **Yamuna**: A major river in North India. * **National Mission for Clean Ganga**: A program to conserve and manage the Ganga river. * **Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)**: Responsible for groundwater resource assessment. * **Central Water Commission (CWC)**: Responsible for water resource management and development. * **Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB)**: The state body for pollution control in Uttar Pradesh. * **Untreated sewage and effluents**: Wastewater and industrial liquid waste discharged without treatment. * **Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)**: The Indian government ministry for environmental protection. * **Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980**: The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, requiring central government permission for forest land diversion. * **Aravallis**: An ancient mountain range in northwestern India. * **Rajawas village**: A specific location in Haryana. * **Suo motu**: Latin for 'on its own motion,' meaning the court initiated the case itself. * **Protected forest**: Forest land legally designated for conservation. * **E-auction**: An auction conducted online. * **Quarrying**: Extracting stone or minerals from an open pit. * **No Objection Certificate (NOC)**: A document stating no objection to a proposed action.