NGT Upholds Gare Palma Coal Project, Citing ‘National Importance’ Amid Global Energy Crisis

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) upheld the environmental clearance for the Gare Palma Sector-II coal mine in Chhattisgarh, designating it a project of "national importance."

The Bench ruled that India’s energy security is critical given global supply disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East wars.

Addressing residents' concerns over pollution and groundwater, the Tribunal applied the "principle of proportionality," holding that national energy needs outweigh localized hardships if mitigation measures are strictly followed.

The NGT noted that fresh expert studies had sufficiently addressed earlier environmental deficiencies, ensuring a necessary balance between systemic fossil fuel dependence and ecological protection.