Levying Environment Compensation
15/10/2019
Environmental pollution is one of the most serious problems facing humanity and other life forms on our planet today. Environmental pollution is defined as “the contamination of the physical and biological components of the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.” Pollutants can be naturally occurring substances or energies, but they are considered contaminants when in excess of natural levels. Any use of natural resources at a rate higher than nature’s capacity to restore itself can result in pollution of air, water, and land. Currently, advanced molecular biology tools along with conventional approaches allow us to rapidly degrade or accumulate hazardous materials from environments. This can help modify microorganisms to gain the ability to sense and degrade hazardous chemicals from contaminated sites, in turn, allowing us to grow vegetation and improve crop productivity.
In Jammu & Kashmir, Governor’s Admini-stration is all set to implement in letter and spirit the detailed guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) whereby polluters of environment will have to pay hefty compensation. Even Government departments, health institutions and Municipal bodies will not be spared and stern action will be taken against them also. Supreme Court of India had directed that the issue of environment pollution be monitored by the National Green Tribunal and the Tribunal started looking into the issue regarding establishment and functioning of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) so as to check pollution of environment.
The State Pollution Control Board has almost completed the exercise for levying Environment Compensation under ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ and notices in this regard will be issued to the polluters within next few days so as to give practical shape to the guidelines. Several Government departments, health institutions and Municipal bodies will also face the music and pay through the nose as they have yet not initiated steps for setting up of ETPs, CETPs and STPs as required under environmental laws.
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