NGT Orders Gujarat Firm To Control Dust Pollution

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered Kutch-based M/s Ashapura Perfoclay Limited to implement stringent dust control measures at its bleaching clay manufacturing plant. The order comes after farmers in the region alleged that pollution from the plant had damaged their crops, resulting in losses exceeding Rs 1 crore over the past decade.

The NGT's Western Zone Bench in Pune directed the company to address fugitive dust emissions on a priority basis and install adequate dust control measures at crushers, acid activation reactors, and coal storage areas. The company has also been ordered to undertake regular cleaning and water sprinkling on internal roads and black-top all internal roads within two months.

The Tribunal's order is based on a Joint Committee report that found several environmental violations at the plant, including open storage of gypsum waste and fugitive dust emissions. Although the report concluded that there was no significant impact on the growth or yield of the farmers' crops, it emphasized the need for the company to urgently address the issue of fugitive dust emissions.

The company operates a bleaching clay manufacturing plant with a production capacity of 0.156 MTPA of bentonite and 0.144 MTPA of bleaching clay. The plant has been accused of violating several conditions of the environmental clearance granted in 2016 for the expansion of its operations.

The farmers who filed the complaint against the company alleged that pollution from the plant had damaged a variety of crops, including pomegranates, Israeli dates, dragon fruit, cotton, corn, and castor. They also alleged that the company had failed to properly operate and maintain its air pollution control system and had not constructed a boundary wall around the premises to prevent dust emissions.

The NGT has directed the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) to monitor stack emissions and gypsum storage and dumping to ensure compliance with prescribed norms. The company has been given a deadline of three months to construct a boundary wall around the premises and black-top the kachha roads used for transportation in consultation with the Gram Panchayat.

The order is a significant step towards addressing the issue of dust pollution in the region and ensuring that companies operate in an environmentally responsible manner. The NGT's decision is expected to have a positive impact on the environment and the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

The case highlights the importance of strict enforcement of environmental regulations and the need for companies to prioritize environmental sustainability. The NGT's order serves as a reminder that companies have a responsibility to operate in a manner that does not harm the environment or the communities in which they operate.

In conclusion, the NGT's order directing Kutch-based M/s Ashapura Perfoclay Limited to implement dust control measures is a significant step towards addressing the issue of dust pollution in the region. The order emphasizes the need for companies to prioritize environmental sustainability and operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

The decision is also a victory for the farmers who filed the complaint against the company, as it recognizes their right to a clean and healthy environment. The order is expected to have a positive impact on the environment and the livelihoods of farmers in the region, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of strict enforcement of environmental regulations.

The NGT's order is a testament to the importance of environmental protection and the need for companies to operate in a sustainable and responsible manner. The decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for companies operating in the region and will serve as a model for environmental regulation and enforcement.

In the end, the NGT's order is a significant step towards creating a cleaner and healthier environment for the people of Gujarat and a reminder that companies have a responsibility to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.