NGT fines 2 firms for green violations

NEW DELHI: Enforcing the ‘polluter pays’ principle, the National Green Tribunal has ordered two Bengaluru-based companies to pay `117.35 crore and `22.5 crore respectively for violating environmental norms and going ahead with construction without necessary statutory clearances.

Acting on a petition filed by three NGOs, an NGT bench, headed by chairman justice Swatanter Kumar, ordered companies Core Mind Software and Services Private Limited and Mantri Techzone Private Limited to pay the amount — which amounts to 5% of their respective project value — within two weeks.

The two construction projects abutting the Agara and Bellandur lakes have allegedly encroached upon an ecologically sensitive area, the catchment area and the storm water drains that helped to drain out the rain water into the wetlands. The fine amount will go to the state pollution control board, which shall use it for environmental and ecological restoration, restitution and other measures to rectify the damage resulting from default and non-compliance to law by the companies.

The green court also consti- tuted a committee of seven members, which shall inspect the two projects fully before ascertaining a final amount to be paid by the companies for the restoration of the area. It would also suggest a restoration plan. NGT relied on a study placed before it to show that the number of lakes had rapidly fallen from 262 in 1960 to 81 in 1985 as several of the water bodies have been converted for residential purposes.