National Green Tribunal (NGT), the aquaculture industry in India is set to face enhanced regulatory oversight with the application of Environment Impact Assessment Notification and inclusion under the consent regime of the Water Act. The NGT’s ruling, dated February 27, stems from an execution application filed by Mumbai-based NGO Vanashakti, which had previously secured an order in May 2021, prompting the formation of a committee to assess the sustainability of inland aquaculture practices.
The NGT has mandated comprehensive regulation, urging authorities to enforce environmental safeguards and scrutinize the impact of aquaculture on water bodies. The ruling emphasizes the need to align inland aquaculture practices with the Environment Impact Assessment regime.
Vanashakti, the NGO behind the legal efforts, underscored the lack of a policy in Maharashtra to regulate inland aquaculture, calling attention to the absence of provisions assessing environmental impacts before granting licenses. The expert committee formed by NGT found tangible evidence of environmental impact in Vadivale Lake, including elevated pollution levels attributed to cage aquaculture activities.
The NGT’s ruling directs the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to bring cage aquaculture under the consent regime within three months. Additionally, the NGT instructs the MPCB to take swift action against individuals contributing to pollution from such activities.
Stalin D, director of Vanashakti, praised the judgment, emphasizing the importance of adapting environmental laws to address emerging sources of pollution. Aquaculture, promoted for enhancing food security and livelihoods, will now undergo increased monitoring, reflecting the evolving landscape of environmental regulations in the country.
