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SIRPUR LAKE

13th November, 2024

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Context:

In compliance with a National Green Tribunal order, the Indore Municipal Corporation, assisted by the police, removed encroachments and dismantled 30 stalls from the catchment area of Sirpur Lake on Saturday morning.

Feature

Details

Location

Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

Type

Human-made wetland

Creator

Constructed by Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar

Purpose

Originally created to generate water supply for Indore city; also used for recreational activities

Historical Reference

Mentioned in the Indore City Gazette (1908) as a key resource for water supply and recreation

Physical Characteristics

Shallow, alkaline, nutrient-rich lake that floods during the monsoon season

Habitats

Wetlands, shrub forests, grasslands, tall trees, shallow and deep-water areas

Fauna

Home to 189 bird species from 55 families
Commonly sighted birds: Painted stork, Bar-headed goose, Eurasian wigeon, various egrets, herons, kingfishers

Other Wildlife

Includes several species of reptiles, insects, butterflies, and fish

Bird Watching Significance

One of the few remaining bird-watching sites within Indore city limits where water birds can be observed

Ramsar Status

Designated as a Ramsar site on January 7, 2022

About National Green Tribunal

Establishment

Established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation.

Principal Bench

New Delhi

Other Benches

Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai

Composition

  • Comprises Chairperson, Judicial Members, and Expert Members
  • Chairperson: Retired Supreme Court Judge
  • Judicial Members: Retired High Court Judges

Bench Composition

Each bench must include at least one Judicial Member and one Expert Member

Expert Members

Must have a professional qualification and a minimum of 15 years' experience in environment/forest conservation and related fields

Powers

Can hear all civil cases related to environmental issues

Jurisdiction covers laws listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act

Relevant Laws under NGT

  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
  • The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
  • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
  • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Appellate Jurisdiction

Has the authority to hear appeals as a Court

Procedure

Not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; guided by principles of natural justice

Timeframe for Disposal

Mandated to dispose of applications or appeals within 6 months of filing

Source:

FREEPRESSJOURNAL

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statement about the National Green Tribunal (NGT):

  1. The tribunal was established under the Environment Protection Act of 1986.
  2. It has the authority to handle cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests.
  3. The decisions taken by the tribunal are final and cannot be challenged in any court of law.

How many of the above-given statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer:  (a)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:  The National Green Tribunal was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.

Statement 2 is correct: National Green Tribunal Act 2010 has power for the 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 the environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to person.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Tribunal has the power to review its own decisions. If this fails, the decision can be challenged before the Supreme Court within ninety days.