NGT Warns Cricket Associations on Water Use

On 2nd May, 2024, National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) principal bench issued warning to cricket associations for not responding by May-end on steps taken to use treated water and rainwater for ground maintenance, related to tribunal's 2021 order.

Key Points

Tribunal's 2021 Directive: In 2021, NGT directed Centre and BCCI to regulate groundwater extraction and enforce rainwater harvesting for ground maintenance.
Deadline for Responses: Cricket associations given three weeks to respond; notices issued to 22 associations and stadium authorities last December.
Action for Non-compliance: NGT warns of action if responses are not filed, directs groundwater authorities to process extraction permissions promptly.
Status of Groundwater Extraction: CGWA reveals only four stadiums out of 24 have permissions for groundwater extraction, and to comply with directives.
Non-compliant Stadiums: 11 stadiums found non-compliant with NGT's 2021 order, including prominent ones like Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium.
Penalized Associations: Associations penalized for non-compliance include Assam Cricket Association, Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, and others.