The National Green Tribunal has highlighted a significant concern regarding the adherence to environmental laws, particularly the Environment Protection Act of 1986 and the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. In a recent session, the tribunal stressed the importance of compliance with these acts following a news item that raised substantial environmental concerns.
In its proceedings, the tribunal has impleaded the regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and key officials from Kerala, including the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden, as respondents to ensure a thorough examination of the matter.
The counsels representing the implicated officers requested a four-week period to prepare and submit their responses to the tribunal’s queries. The tribunal, however, has mandated that a response from the regional office of the MoEFCC be submitted at least one week prior to the next scheduled hearing on September 30.
