Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding melting of plastic for manufacture of plastic granules, Malegaon, Maharashtra, 15/10/2019
The order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Mohammad Yusuf Abdullah Shaikh & Others Vs State of Maharashtra & Others dated 15/10/2019 regarding remedial action against the air pollution on account of melting of plastic in the process of manufacturing gitti (recycled plastic granules) for use of plastic pipes at Malegaon in the State of Maharashtra.
A report filed by the CPCB on September 9, 2019 reported that the list of 203 units as given by the Malegaon Municipal Corporation to be engaged in plastic related activities is not comprehensive and there can be more units engaged in the polluting activities. Further the list does not have information about type of activities being carried out in terms of storage or sorting or recycling of waste plastics or manufacturing of pipes from plastic lump (gitti) derived from waste plastic recycling. Also, not all plastic waste recycling units to whom closure directions have been issued by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and power supply disconnection has reportedly been done by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Corporation Ltd. (MSEDCL) and not not all units have closed their operations effectively.
The NGT directed the State PCB to take steps to prevent further polluting activities by the units by disconnecting their electricity supply and recovering compensation. The Tribunal in its order made it clear that "while polluting activities cannot be allowed to continue on the ground that alternative sites may have to be explored, it is open to the authorities to take steps in that direction." "The industrial activity ought to be allowed without causing damage to the environment. The existing proposal for shifting of the units from residential area to any other area may be considered on its own merit," the order said.