Sikkim: NGT adjourns environmental conservation case, next hearing scheduled for July 12

The Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal, Kolkata, has convened a hearing for the original application No. 38/2022/EZ (IA No. 131/2022/EZ), with Dr. Bina Basnett v State of Sikkim & Ors. Presided over by Justices B. Amit Sthalekar and Arun Kumar Verma, the case seeks to address pressing environmental issues in the region.

Representatives from both sides, led by prominent legal figures, presented their arguments before the tribunal. Pratap Shankar and Dipankar Thakur appeared for the applicant, while a group of legal professionals including Sameer Abhyankar, Mr. Kazi Sangay Thupden, Saumitra Jaiswal, Mansi Bachani, Gitanjali Sanyal, ADN Rao, Sonali Sengupta, Amrita Pandey, Sanjay Upadhyay and S. Gupta represented the respondents.

During the proceedings, the tribunal accepted a counter affidavit dated April 30, 2024 filed by respondent No. 10, Gangtok Municipal Corporation. Moreover, Ms. Amrita Pandey, representative of respondent No. 11, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), was granted an extension of four weeks for filing a counter affidavit.

The tribunal underlined the importance of timely filings and urged all parties to complete their arguments at least a week before the next hearing. It was emphasized that all pending affidavits could be accessed through the National Green Tribunal portal.

The matter has been adjourned until July 12, 2024 for further deliberation and hearing.