The Madras High Court issued interim orders banning the manufacture, sale, and transport of 28 plastic items, including PET bottles, plastic plates, straws, bags, and packaging materials, throughout the Western Ghats, Sanctuaries, and Tiger Reserves.

The Court instructed the Tamil Nadu Government to issue a notification under Section 67(3) of the Motor Vehicles Act, preventing vehicles from transporting these banned items into the region.

Additionally, the Court ordered the implementation of a Deposit Return System for reusable containers and emphasized awareness campaigns to reduce plastic waste.

The case will be heard again on June 6, 2025. (G. Subramania Koushik v. The Principal Secretary to Govt of Tamil Nadu & Ors)

The Rajasthan High Court set aside the Labour Court’s order that dismissed the petitioner’s industrial dispute for not adducing evidence on the fixed date.

The Court observed that the petitioner had been careless in handling his case but still decided to give him another chance because of the seriousness of the issue involved. As a condition, the Court directed the petitioner to plant 21 shade trees in a public area within a month and submit quarterly photo reports to the Labour Court.

This eco-friendly direction replaced a monetary penalty, ensuring the public good. The petition was accordingly disposed of.

The Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi government and MCD over the daily dumping of 3,000 tons of untreated waste, calling it “shameful” and “disastrous.” It warned of halting construction activities if immediate steps aren't taken.

The Court directed MCD to file a fresh affidavit and launch a mass awareness campaign on solid waste management, targeting households, RWAs, commercial units, and bulk generators.

Stressing that awareness is a legal duty under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Court ordered MCD to use all media platforms and promote the MCD 311 app for reporting violations.

The Delhi High Court permitted the transplantation of 26 trees to facilitate the expansion of the Supreme Court complex.

The Court allowed the relocation of 16 trees near Gate A-B and 10 near Gate No. 1 of the Administrative Buildings Complex. The CPWD informed the Court that 260 compensatory trees were already planted at Sunder Nursery.

The issue arose after the Tree Officer rejected CPWD’s request without proper justification. The Court found the order lacking clarity and directed a fresh, well-reasoned order within two weeks under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act.

The main petition challenging the tree felling and expansion project is still pending final adjudication.

The Supreme Court has issued an interim stay on tree felling in the Kancha Gachibowli forest area near Hyderabad Central University.

The bench passed the order after an urgent mention by Amicus Curiae K. Paremeshwar in the TN Godavarman forest case.

The Court directed the Telangana High Court Registrar (Judicial) to conduct an immediate site inspection and submit a report. The Chief Secretary of Telangana was instructed to ensure no further tree felling until further orders.

Taking suo motu cognizance, the Court halted all developmental activities in the area. It also sought an affidavit from the Chief Secretary, warning of personal liability for non-compliance with its directives.

The Supreme Court has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR throughout the year, dismissing a proposal for a limited 3–4 month restriction.

The court ruled that the right to trade cannot override the right to health under Article 21 of the Constitution. No exemption was provided for green crackers.

The Court extended the ban to NCR districts in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, emphasizing pollution control as a constitutional duty under Article 51A.

The Bombay High Court has declined to ban plastic flowers, stating there is no legal restriction against their use.

The Growers Flowers Council of India (GFCI) filed a petition seeking a ban by classifying plastic flowers as single-use plastic. 

However, the Central Government informed the court that the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFCC) found no legal basis for such a restriction. 

A division bench ruled that any ban requires statutory backing, not judicial intervention, but allowed the petitioner to amend the plea.

The Supreme Court said that cutting a large number of trees is worse than killing human beings & fined a man Rs. 1 Lakh for each illegally cut tree, who chopped 454 trees in the protected Taj Trapezium Zone.

The top court said it will take at least 100 years minimum to regenerate the green cover created by 454 trees which were blantantly cut without permission. 

Furthermore, the court directed the man to do plantations at a nearby site & said the contempt plea filed against him would be disposed of only after compliance.

The Supreme Court ordered the Rajasthan government to assign an official in Alwar to stop illegal mining near Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Despite the Supreme Court’s April 2023 order banning mining within 1 km of Sariska Tiger Reserve, illegal activities continued.

The Rajasthan government claimed regular patrols, but the court found enforcement weak. Violations included the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972, and SC orders.

The court also noted repeated breaches of environmental laws, putting the reserve’s ecosystem and tiger population at risk.

The court upheld the mining ban and ordered stricter monitoring to protect wildlife.

The Kerala High Court has issued directives to ensure strict enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics (SUPs), emphasizing compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

A Division Bench acted on a PIL highlighting unauthorized plastic manufacturing.

The Court directed Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs) and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to conduct regular inspections, enforce penalties, and educate stakeholders. It also urged the development of a mobile app to monitor violations.

Additionally, the State plans a year-long sensitization drive to inform vendors and retailers of legal requirements.

The Court affirmed that any violations can be reported for strict action.

The Kerala High Court has raised concerns over the widespread use of plastic bottles at marriage functions, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of the state’s plastic ban.

A division bench suggested replacing small plastic bottles with glass alternatives, citing their harmful environmental impact.

The Court was informed that gatherings over 100 people require a license, and a ban on plastic bottles below 500 ml is already in place. The government is considering an online reporting system for citizens to report violations.

The Court also addressed plastic waste disposal on railway tracks, directing Railways to ensure cleanup.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given activist Santosh Daundkar four weeks to present evidence supporting his claims against the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) clearance for Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat renovation.

Daundkar claims Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat received CRZ clearance unfairly despite past violations, such as illegal construction, demolishing heritage structures, changing reserved land use, and extracting groundwater without permission.

Further, he argued that earlier violations (2000-2006) were ignored. The NGT noted the clearance followed CRZ 2019 guidelines and scheduled the next hearing for April 23.

Hence, the NGT stated in its order that, if Daundkar does not provide proof, his appeal will be rejected.

The Supreme Court directed NCR states to file affidavits on compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, including waste management plans with timelines.

The Court ordered the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit a report on the environmental and health impact of waste-to-energy projects.

The court stressed waste segregation at the source, noting low compliance in MCD, Gurugram, and Faridabad. It warned that non-compliance in Delhi could lead to construction restrictions.

The Court directed that Affidavits from states and the CPCB report must be submitted by the end of March.