NGT Dismisses Plea Against Vasai School Over Alleged River Encroachment

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dismissed an environmental application filed against Gnyanodaya Multipurpose High School & Jr. College in Vasai, alleging illegal construction, encroachment on a river course, and discharge of untreated sewage. The tribunal's decision was based on a Joint Committee report that found no substance in the complaint.

The application was filed by environmentalist Rajiv Bhagelu Gupta, who claimed that the school had constructed buildings close to a natural river course without maintaining the mandatory nine-metre buffer. He also alleged that portions of the riverbed were filled with sand and construction waste, and that a compound wall had altered the natural flow of the watercourse. Additionally, Gupta claimed that untreated sewage was being discharged into the river and that the access road to the school passed through protected forest land without the requisite approval.

The school, however, denied the allegations and contended that the application was frivolous. It claimed that Gupta had earlier filed two PILs before the Bombay High Court concerning the structures, which were disposed of with directions to make a detailed representation to the concerned Municipal Commissioner. The school maintained that its buildings stood on Survey Nos. 11D and 11A at Village Kolhi, and that it had not engaged in any illegal construction or encroachment.

The NGT, in its seven-page order, stated that it had heard the arguments of learned counsel for the parties and perused the records. The tribunal found that the reports did not find the site to have any wrongdoing in connection with any encroachment or illegal construction. The NGT also noted that the Joint Committee report did not find any discharge of untreated sewage by the school.

The applicant had sought directions for removal of alleged illegal structures and restoration of the affected area. He had also sought revocation of the commencement and occupancy certificates issued by the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation until compliance with environmental and forest regulations, besides restoration of the allegedly damaged watercourse. However, the NGT dismissed the application, finding no force in the objections raised against the Joint Committee report.

The dismissal of the plea is a relief for the school, which had denied all allegations of wrongdoing. The NGT's decision is based on the findings of the Joint Committee report, which did not find any evidence of illegal construction, encroachment, or sewage discharge.

The case highlights the importance of environmental regulations and the need for institutions to comply with them. The NGT's decision also underscores the need for thorough investigations and fact-finding reports before making allegations of environmental wrongdoing.

In the context of Mumbai and its surrounding areas, the case is significant as it relates to the protection of natural watercourses and the prevention of environmental pollution. The NGT's decision sets a precedent for similar cases in the future, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with environmental regulations.

The dismissal of the plea against the Vasai school is a significant development, and it will be interesting to see how the school and the authorities respond to the NGT's decision. The case is a reminder of the importance of protecting the environment and ensuring that institutions comply with regulations to prevent pollution and damage to natural resources.

In conclusion, the NGT's decision to dismiss the plea against the Vasai school is a significant development that highlights the importance of environmental regulations and the need for institutions to comply with them. The case is a reminder of the importance of protecting the environment and ensuring that institutions comply with regulations to prevent pollution and damage to natural resources.