NGT lens on pharma firm violating green norms

Chennai: The National Green Tribunal has asked the Union environment ministry to file a report on how it will deal with Sun Pharmaceuticals if it violated environmental norms at its Chengalpet unit. Fishermen’s welfare association filed an appeal challenging the environmental clearance (EC) granted to Sun Pharma in March 2022 for the expansion of its unit in Sathamai village located near the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary. The environment ministry said the clearance was granted subject to obtaining clearance from the standing committee on wildlife.Meanwhile, the petitioners alleged that the company was causing heavy pollution. Hence the tribunal in September 2022 directed it to pay 10 crore as damages.Though the state principal chief conservator of forests filed a report in February 2023 confirming the violations, the Union environment ministry did not recall or cancel the EC for non-compliance, the tribunal observed during a recent hearing on April 10. Following this, an explanation has been sought before the next hearing on May 10.
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