New Delhi: Courting controversies with orders on regulating Hindu pilgrimage to sparing none including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living for damaging the Yamuna floodplains, the National Green Tribunal in 2017 also castigated the NDA government for failing to rejuvenate the holy Ganga.
Not only the verdict on Ganga brought embarrassment for the union government but the green panel's remarks that "non- cooperation" and "lack of will" of its instrumentalities were resulting in "inordinate delay" in cleaning the stretch of river Yamuna also put it on backfoot. While milestone judgements like refusing to lift the ban on 10-year-old diesel vehicle brought kudos from environmental experts, a pro-active NGT drew ire from Hindu religious groups for capping pilgrims at Vaishno Devi and asking devotees to maintain silence in front of the shivalinga at Amarnath.
However, in the wake of protests, the tribunal came out with a clarification that there was no ban on chanting of mantras or performing of aarti inside the cave at Amarnath.
Taking note of sound pollution caused by use of loud speakers at religious places including mosques, the NGT directed strict adherence to the guidelines on noise pollution and ordered action in case of any violations.
It also took a tough stand on animal blood seeping into Yamuna and directed the authorities concerned to ensure that no blood is allowed to flow directly into the river due to slaughtering of animals.
With the end of the year, the NGT witnessed its Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar retiring from his post after completion of his five-year tenure and Justice U D Salvi taking over the reins of the tribunal as the acting chairperson.
Jantar Mantar, which for many years was the hotspot of all protests and dharnas, got rid off all such activities as the green body banned these saying that the state has totally failed to protect the right of enjoying pollution-free environment of the citizens living around the archaeological site, close to Connaught Place in the city.