Varun Singh, Founder and Managing Partner of Foresight Law Offices, has authored an insightful article titled “Green Crimes In India: A Step Towards Safeguarding Our Environment” on LiveLaw. The piece discusses the urgent need to classify environmental violations as “green crimes” under criminal law, emphasizing that actions harming the environment should be penalized to deter further degradation. Singh highlights the recent public outcry over the protection of Telangana’s 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli forest as a testament to the positive impact of civic engagement on environmental preservation. He also critiques India’s low ranking (176 out of 180) in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index and calls for stricter enforcement of environmental laws, including the Water Act, Solid Waste Management Rules, and the establishment of a legal framework for holding corporate decision-makers accountable for environmental harm.

Satna Shaw Mills Pollution Investigation: The NGT has directed the formation of an expert committee to investigate allegations of environmental pollution caused by illegal shaw mills and wooden goods factories in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh. The petition claims these operations discharge hazardous chemicals into water bodies and emit smoke and noise, posing serious environmental risks. The committee is expected to submit a report before the next hearing on July 21, 2025.

The Supreme Court has ordered the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to investigate the cause of the April 22 fire at the Adampur dump site in Bhopal, which has raised serious concerns about environmental and public health implications for nearby villages. The court has mandated the CPCB to assess environmental damage and identify responsible parties, with a report due within six weeks. Additionally, the court directed that free medical check-ups and necessary medical aid be provided to residents of seven nearby villages, where over 10,000 people reside. This intervention follows a petition by environmental activist Subhash C Pandey, who highlighted the health and environmental hazards caused by the prolonged fire at the landfill.

These developments underscore the growing recognition of environmental violations as serious offenses and the increasing role of legal institutions and civic engagement in addressing environmental issues in India.

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