As the festive season is approaching nearer, the air in the surroundings is deteriorating sharply to a great extent. A large part of the northern area is facing severely poor air quality shrouding it with a thick haze in the form smog made of tiny particulate matter which can penetrate deep into the lungs leading severe troubles. Sufficient contributions in this regard have been made by the setting fire to the crop residue by the farmers in the said region.

Pollution Problem

Pollution is the process of introduction of solid, liquid or gaseous contaminants in the environment in such a concentration, as may be, or tend to be injurious to environment results in hazardous consequences. Some of the sources of pollution include emissions from vehicular usage, industrial works, construction activities, burning of crops and garbage, firecracker burning, etc. releasing harmful poisonous constituents in the surrounding air.

Health impacts

Rising pollution levels are a source of number of problems such as chronic respiratory disorders, cardiovascular problems, retarded foetal growth, dermatological issues, etc. The problem of pollution not only affects humans but also other living creatures on the planet even resulting in their death and extinction thereby hampering the co-existence in the ecosystem.

Legal control

With the objective of conservation and improvement of environment, the Environment Protection Act, 1986 was enforced along with the other legislative provisions specifically dealing with the pollution of various components of the environment including the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 introduced to prevent, control and abate air pollution.

In order to protect environment and creation of legal framework in this regard, the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as the "NGT Act") was brought into effect which established the regulatory body - the National Green Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as "NGT") aiming to provide effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

NGT snaps electric supply

In order to impose strict restrictions on those not obeying to the requirement of the law and instructions of the authorities working towards reducing the pollution, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited on October 31, 2018, snapped the power connections of 57 industrial units in Derabassi after NGT directed adherence to its orders in this regard on October 25, 2018.1 The NGT ordered closure of 44 industrial units for non-compliance of the pollution controlling norms issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (hereinafter referred to as "CPCB") and imposed a liability on them in the form of environment compensation. 9 units were found operating on the premises of a closed unit or non-operating industry and without consent of CPCB board and 4 others were not complying with the ground water standards.

Taking a stringent measure to prevent the degradation of the already depleting standards of air present in the environment, orders have been made to curb the power supply to the industries flouting the environment protection guidelines.

Footnote

1 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/power-connection-of-57-units-in-derabassi-snapped-onnational-green-tribunal-order/articleshow/66457577.cms

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