Ensure ambient air quality: NGT to Kerala government

The Special Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked Kerala The government will continue to take necessary preventive and remedial measures against air pollution.

A bench headed by the tribunal’s chairman Adarsh ​​Kuma Goel said the authorities need to meet the prescribed standards for ambient air quality. “Air pollution control requires continuous planning and action by statutory regulators in accordance with environmental laws including air” [Prevention and Control of Pollution] Act, 1981, Environment [Protection] Act, 1986 and Rules,” said in its order dated August 24, while disposing of the proceedings in the matter relating to air pollution in the State.

The tribunal observed that the State Pollution Control Board has conducted awareness programmes, strict action against polluting vehicles, prevention of dust pollution, greening of open areas, waste management, sprinkling of footpaths, preventing burning of waste, industrial pollution. An action plan for control was presented. Compliance when using a diesel generator set, and installing a vapor recovery system.

The special bench said that the state level monitoring should include action at the ground level as per the directions to be implemented by the district magistrates or other concerned departments. Monitoring may include all related issues including proper sprinkling of water (using treated water instead of potable water), planting of herbs and shrubs, and road dust control by all sources of pollution, including firecrackers. It added that the issue of noise pollution also needs to be addressed without delay.

The tribunal had directed the environment department to conduct a direct source segmentation study based on the recommendations of an expert committee in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Officials have been asked to prepare model guidelines for pollution control in major cities of the state.