Key insights
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1
Recovery of levied environmental compensation: The tribunal said environmental compensation had been levied for the tent city’s violations but not recovered, and directed that it be recovered expeditiously.
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2
Future prohibition on non-compliant tent cities on the Ganga: The tribunal order said government authorities will ensure that no such tent city is allowed to be set up on the bank of the Ganga or its tributaries in violation of the 2016 River Ganga order and applicable environmental norms.
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3
Prior approval sought after implementation: A National Mission for Clean Ganga report noted that the application for prior approval for the tent city project was made after the project had already been implemented in 2022.
Takeaways
The National Green Tribunal held that the Varanasi Ganga riverbed ‘Tent City’ violated environmental norms and directed expeditious recovery of environmental compensation while instructing authorities to prevent future non-compliant tent cities on the Ganga and its tributaries.