The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and other agencies in response to a plea highlighting serious health and environmental risks from pigeon droppings in public areas

The petition claims that regular feeding of pigeons leads to droppings accumulating on footpaths and public areas, which, when cleaned, toxic particles mix with dust, polluting the air and causing diseases like hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which can scar lungs and cause breathing difficulties.

The NGT has sought responses by affidavit before the next hearing on October 8.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Central Bench in Bhopal has laid down new guidelines for tree cutting in major construction projects, following a case involving the proposed felling of 700 trees in Neelbad, Bhopal.

The NGT directed that any project involving the felling of 25 or more trees must obtain approval from a newly constituted Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC). It also mandated a geo-tagging system, a statewide tree census in Madhya Pradesh, and compensatory afforestation at a 10 to 100 times ratio.

While environmentalists welcomed the move, they raised concerns over missing implementation timelines and a lack of clarity regarding the CEC's funding and staffing.

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Centre within two weeks on a PIL filed by environmentalist Vikrant Tongad, urging effective implementation of the 2019 NDMA Heat Wave Management Guidelines. 

The plea calls for early warning systems, 24*7 heat helplines, heat alerts, green infrastructure, and minimum wage protections for vulnerable workers during extreme heat.

The bench led by CJI BR Gavai emphasized the urgency of institutional reforms to address the climate-induced heat crisis, directing ministries and NDMA to file replies, underscoring the rising toll of heatwaves nationwide.

The Orissa High Court ordered an interim stay on constructing a vending zone near Madhusudan Law University’s new campus at Rehman Square, Cuttack, citing potential harm to academics, safety, and the environment.

Petitioners raised concerns over traffic congestion, waterlogging, noise pollution, and risks to 300 female hostel residents. They also alleged attempts to expedite construction to bypass legal scrutiny.

The Court referenced Bombay Hawkers' Union v. BMC (1985), which bars hawking within 100 metres of educational institutions.

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation was granted time to respond, while the Court ordered status quo until further hearing.

The Supreme Court has imposed a complete ban on firecrackers in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act (EPA), following a compliance affidavit filed by the Delhi government.

Each state is directed to establish a grievance redressal mechanism to address public complaints and monitor violations related to firecracker usage. Awareness campaigns must also be launched to inform citizens of the ban and its legal consequences.

The Court also criticised governance lapses, highlighting vacant posts and underutilised funds in bodies like the CPCB and CAQM.

States have been ordered to act within one month to ensure strict compliance.

The Karnataka High Court has directed the Forest Department to identify and map areas where loose electric fences pose risks to elephants.

This follows the electrocution of the Dasara elephant Ashwathama on June 11, 2024, near Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, prompting the Court to take suo motu cognizance based on media reports.

The Court mandated the implementation of Elephant Task Force recommendations and MoEFCC guidelines on transmission lines, emphasizing underground cabling in eco-sensitive zones.

The court also ordered the removal of illegal electric fences, replacing them with safe barricades, and called for expanded use of AI tools, CCTV, radio-collaring, and public awareness campaigns to protect elephants.

The Supreme Court ruled that no trees can be cut within a 5 km aerial radius of the Taj Mahal without its prior approval, even if the number of trees involved is fewer than 50.

This directive, originally established in its 2015 order in MC Mehta v. Union of India, mandates that all tree-felling requests in this zone be submitted to the Court and reviewed by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

The Court emphasized strict adherence to the Uttar Pradesh Tree Preservation Act, allowing exceptions only in cases of grave urgency where human life is at risk. 

The Supreme Court declined urgent listing of a plea by Gujarat-based Wildwoods Resorts and Realties, stressing that case hearings should not favour the rich litigants. 

The company challenged the Gujarat High Court’s refusal to hear its case after the State Board for Wildlife had already rejected the proposed resort project near Gir National Park in December 2024. The State argued that at least 1 kilometer distance has to be maintained.

The Special Leave Petition was filed in April 2025 and came up before Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan.

Initially listed for January 2026, the case was later advanced to August 2025, but without granting special urgency.

The Supreme Court stayed the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) plan to relocate approximately 600 spotted deer from AN Jha Deer Park in Hauz Khas, following a plea by the New Delhi Nature Society.

The petition alleged relocation violated the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, as the deer were being moved to predator-heavy sanctuaries in Rajasthan without proper habitat assessments or veterinary checks.

Also challenged the use of the "Boma method" to capture vulnerable deer like pregnant females and fawns.

The Court ordered status quo and directed the DDA to ensure proper care of the deer until the next hearing on May 16.

LG and Samsung have filed writ petitions challenging India’s amended e-waste recycling policy. The core contention lies in raising the floor prices, which fixed a minimum of ₹22/kg for electronics and ₹34/kg for smartphones, alleged to be arbitrary and financially burdensome.

The companies argue that price regulation under the ‘polluter pays’ principle fails to address the informal sector’s dominance and leads to unjustified cost escalation.

The government, however, defends the rule, stating it is necessary to formalize recycling and promote investment. Other companies like Voltas and Daikin have also contested the regulations, indicating a broader industry concern over the policy. 

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.