The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has cast a critical spotlight on its own registry, expressing profound displeasure over significant irregularities in the maintenance of case files pertaining to the protracted environmental dispute concerning Dharavi’s ecologically sensitive salt pan lands. This judicial reprimand, delivered during a physical hearing, underscores the imperative for meticulous procedural diligence in environmental jurisprudence, particularly in matters that bear directly on Mumbai’s fragile ecosystems and its aspirations for sustainable urban development. The ongoing litigation highlights the complex interplay between economic activity and ecological preservation in a rapidly expanding metropolis.
The core of the matter revolves around alleged illegal bunding and construction activities within the vital salt pan regions of Dharavi, a concern initially brought to the tribunal’s attention through a letter petition filed by environmental activist Madhura Rajesh Tawde. This petition, which originated at the Principal Bench in New Delhi and was subsequently transferred to the Western Zone Bench, raised serious allegations of illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, alongside other environmental violations. Such activities pose a direct threat to the delicate balance of these wetlands, which serve as crucial natural buffers against flooding and contribute significantly to the city’s biodiversity and climate resilience, fundamental pillars of an eco-friendly urban future.
A peculiar procedural anomaly emerged as the Western Zone Bench re-registered the case as an Original Application upon its transfer from Delhi, despite it having been formally disposed of on March 15, 2023. This re-registration, coupled with the subsequent filing of several Miscellaneous and Interlocutory Applications, led to a discernible state of confusion and mismanagement within the registry. The bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh (Judicial Member) and Dr. Vijay Kulkarni (Expert Member), pointedly noted the failure to properly segregate, paginate, and organise files, resulting in an unwelcome mix-up of active and closed cases. The NGT’s directive for the registry to reorganise and paginate all related files within a week, ensuring separate files for each application, reflects a firm stance on administrative accountability essential for the efficient dispensation of environmental justice.
Further complicating the legal landscape, a Miscellaneous Application filed by an intervener, Balgovind Rampratap Barai, seeking a recall of the earlier March 15, 2023 order, was found to be procedurally defective. The tribunal observed that only the State of Maharashtra had been impleaded, with other original parties conspicuously absent from the service of notices. Granting the applicant two weeks to rectify this procedural lapse and implead all concerned parties ensures that the principles of natural justice are upheld, allowing all stakeholders a fair opportunity to present their perspectives in a case that has far-reaching implications for the city’s environmental future.
Concurrently, an Interlocutory Application submitted by the original respondent sought to validate compliance with previous NGT orders for C&D waste removal, challenge closure orders and service disconnections by the Environment Department dated August 12, 2024, and secure permission to resume salt manufacturing at the site, along with restoration of water and electricity. While the tribunal permitted the impleadment of this applicant as a respondent, it dismissed the remaining prayers, stipulating that any further relief would necessitate the filing of a fresh original application with appropriate court fees and documentation. This decision underscores the NGT’s adherence to established legal protocols, ensuring that substantive environmental issues are addressed through proper channels and not through piecemeal applications.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has submitted an affidavit dated June 11, 2025, which has been taken on record. The MPCB’s involvement is anticipated to be crucial in accurately determining the extent of environmental violations at the site, providing the necessary scientific and regulatory insights to guide the tribunal’s future deliberations. This collaboration between judicial and regulatory bodies is paramount in enforcing environmental norms and fostering a culture of compliance. All pending applications, excluding those already dismissed, are slated for further hearing on July 21, 2025. This upcoming hearing will be a critical juncture, potentially shaping the future of Dharavi’s salt pan lands and setting precedents for environmental governance in Mumbai, reinforcing the city’s commitment to becoming a truly sustainable and equitable urban centre for all its inhabitants.
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