CHANDIGARH, Aug. 21 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and other environmental regulators over the alleged failure to recover and utilise environmental compensation, with Rs.170.12 crore imposed on urban local bodies (ULBs) across Punjab over the past five years but only Rs.21.87 crore recovered.

Nearly Rs.149 crore in penalties remains unrealised, while crores of rupees already collected are lying in bank accounts and earning interest instead of being used for environmental remediation.

Environmental compensation is meant to be deployed for remediation, rejuvenation and restoration of the damaged environment, including pollution-control measures, restoration of affected ...