The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has noted that a permanent committee to monitor the rejuvenation of water bodies has not been formed yet, despite a year since directions were passed in this regard.
The Bench, which is hearing different petitions on the encroachment of lakes, including those in Vandalur, Ambattur, and Kovilambakkam, had directed the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, on August 8, 2022, to form a permanent committee with the department secretaries of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Environment, Revenue and others to oversee implementation of waste management rules and the restoration of lakes.
“Even after a passage of one year time, such a committee has not been constituted. Let a reply be filed in this regard, failing which, the matter will be viewed seriously, summoning the officials concerned to be present before this Tribunal,” the NGT said on August 10.
