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Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding violation of environmental norms by SML Films Industries, Ichchapore, GIDC, Surat, Gujarat, 09/05/2022

  • 09/05/2022

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Paryavaran Mitra Vs State of Gujarat dated 09/05/2022.

Grievance in the application is against violation of environmental norms by SML Films Industries Limited, Ichchapore, GIDC-Surat by disposing plastic waste in an illegal manner from its film making unit. It is further submitted that burning of plastic waste by the industry emits foul gases which are dangerous to the health of the residents of the surrounding areas. It is also submitted that industry has also started new construction on mass scale and has removed soil and trees from the site without requisite statutory permission and has also unauthorizedly constructed a 10 lakhs liter glycol tank.

A joint Committee report, May 5, 2022 informed the Green Tribunal that the committee members visited all the 5 plots allotted to the unit to assess the factual position. The inspection report of GPCP, March 24, 2021 mentioned in the joint committee report stated that the unit had started construction / installation activities for polyester chips manufacturing, which requires prior environment clearance and after receiving the closure direction from GPCB, the unit had removed the structure / machineries related to polyester chips manufacturing.

The court after going through the committee report noted that it was mentioned that coal was being used as a fuel, nothing was mentioned about generation and disposal of fly ash. Also, requisite EC has not been obtained.

"Since operations of the unit in question are in violation of requirement of EC, the State PCB has to take further action against such illegal operations, following due process of law," the NGT, May 9, 2022 said.