The Bombay High Court in the case observed and took suo motu cognisance of the poor air quality in Mumbai, while hearing a PIL moved on the same issue. The court in the case stated that the Central and State Pollution Control Boards, State Government, Union, and all Municipal Corporations should be made the party and should state the measures taken by them in order to address the concern.
The court in its order stated that, we will pass a detailed order. we are also taking the suo Motu cognisance of the air quality in Mumbai city and what all measures have been taken by these authorities. AQI is deteriorating everywhere, not even a single area is being spared.
The court allowed the petitioner to amend the petitioner and has also stated that the existing matter could be tagged to the Suo Motu PIL. In the present case, the High Court was hearing the fresh public interest litigation, PIL seeking judicial intervention to address the “problem of extreme air pollution in Mumbai.
The Public Interest Litigation, PIL moved stated that Mumbai with its 1.7 crore residents has seen a steep rise in people falling sick in recent times, ailing from lung infections and coughs. The petition moved seeks directions for an inquiry into workings of the Civic Gardens and Trees Department for the last decade.
Further, the court seeks to audit their accounts, availability of manpower and details on tree plantation in the last 10 years. The court in the case observed that Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made it very clear that the climate crisis is accelerating at a pace like never before and warned that it is ‘now or never’ to limit global warming to 1.5C. From deforestation and droughts to air pollution and plastic waste, thus, there being several factors exacerbating global warming.
The court observed that the PIL moved pointed out that the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution also includes the right to a healthy environment. The plea is moved by Mazgaon resident Amar Tike, 50, Virar resident Anand Jha, 44 and Sanjay Surve, 39 from Dombivali East, through advocate Prashant Pandey. Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on November 06, 2023.