A new tribunal has set aside the environment clearance given to the integrated solid waste management facility of the Chennai Corporation, by the Tamil Nadu government.

On its first day of operations, the National Green Tribunal's Circuit Court said that only the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the central government has the authority to grant the environment clearance for the project since it falls within the 10 km radius of a national park.

The tribunal headed by Justice C. V. Ramulu passed order on an appeal by V. Srinivasan against the Tamil Nadu State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority and others. Justice C. V. Ramulu said pointed out that project fell within Category A and only the Ministry of Environment and Forests could issue environment clearance.

Mr. Justice Ramulu herd arguments from both sides and observed that is any project falls under a 10-km radius from a national park or a protected area only the union government has the authority to grant clearances. The state government can only grant clearance for projects that are beyond the 10 km radius from any national park.