A report presented by the court highlighted a significant decrease in forest cover, dropping from 17,475 square kilometres in 1987 to 16,598 square kilometres in 2021. This translates to a loss of 877 square kilometres of vital forest land.

Google Earth imagery obtained by the NGT reportedly showed substantial concrete structures being built on the site following the clearing of reserve forest land and hill cutting activities.

The state government has drawn its conclusion from a report provided by the North East Space Application Centre (NESAC), which aids the Northeastern region with space science and technology.

The tribunal's decision to constitute a new panel comes in response to ongoing grievances regarding the Mohan Meakin distillery, which stands accused of discharging harmful effluents into the pristine Kasauli Kund located in Solan district.

The Ministry of Environment argued that existing guidelines and safeguards are sufficient to regulate these entities from an environmental perspective.

The case originated from two applications — a petition filed by the NGT itself and an intervention application filed by an Assam resident. 

The National Green Tribunal has imposed fines totalling Rs 79,098 crore on states and Union territories for non-compliance with municipal solid waste management rules and other environmental violations in 2022-23, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.