Tent Cities on Ganga Riverbed Breached Environmental Norms; NGT Mandates Swift Compensation Recovery
In a landmark decision, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and the State's Environment Department to expedite the recovery of environmental compensation from the proponents of Tent Cities set up on the riverbed of the Ganga near Assi Ghat, Varanasi. The Tent Cities, operated by M/s Praveg Communications (India) Limited and M/s Niraan the Tent City, were found to be in violation of multiple environmental regulations, including illegal discharge of sewage into the river and lack of requisite permissions under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.
The Tribunal's Principal Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, pronounced the judgment on January 8, 2026, following a detailed report by a seven-member Joint Committee. The committee found that the Tent Cities were operational without the necessary 'Consent to Operate' from the UPPCB and had inadequate sewage management systems that risked polluting the Ganga. Despite the imposition of an environmental compensation of Rs. 17,12,500/- each on the project proponents, the amount remains unrecovered.
The Tribunal has given a three-month deadline for the recovery of the compensation and has prohibited future violations of environmental norms for similar projects. Additionally, the issue of de-notification of the Kachhua Wildlife Sanctuary, where the Tent Cities were initially established, remains pending before the Supreme Court, and the NGT has refrained from adjudicating on this matter to avoid overlap with the higher court's proceedings.
The NGT's decision underscores the importance of strict compliance with environmental norms, especially concerning the protection of the Ganga, a river of immense cultural and ecological significance in India.
Bottom Line:
Environmental Norms - Tent City set up on River Ganga's bed near Assi Ghat, Varanasi found to be violating environmental norms under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016. Environmental compensation levied on project proponents but not yet recovered.
Statutory provision(s): Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Tushar Goswami v. Union of India, (NGT)(Principal Bench, New Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2834652
