NGT telIs MoEF to stop pollution by edu institutions

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to issue guidelines to check pollution by educational institutions following complaints of violation of green norms by them across the country.

Expressing concern over air and noise pollution caused by schools and other educational institutions, the bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the Secretary to MoEF to interact with state education departments in association with pollution control boards and issue guidelines to check pollution by the institutions.

The green panel directed the MoEF to email a compliance report to [e-mail] within eight weeks.

The tribunal's direction came on a plea by Uttar Pradesh resident Manoj Chaudhary, who alleged that nine schools close to his residence in Meerut's Mission Compound area were operating diesel generator sets and violating air and noise pollution norms for the last 10 years.

The state pollution control board, which inspected the schools, wrote to the Meerut Development Authority to initiate action.

Taking note of the report, the NGT directed the Authority to take action in accordance with law.