In a significant step towards improving environmental governance in healthcare institutions, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi on Saturday suggested that the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) developed for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, be considered for adaptation and implementation in other government hospitals across the country.
The observation came while disposing of a matter which was filed concerning air pollution issues within and around the AIIMS Delhi campus.
Earlier, the Tribunal had constituted a high-level Joint Committee comprising representative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The committee was tasked with assessing pollution sources in and around major government hospitals and developing a framework for effective environmental management.
During the proceedings, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed the Tribunal that an Environmental Management Plan for hospitals had been prepared and uploaded on the Ministry’s website. The plan was placed on record through an affidavit filed before the Tribunal.
While taking note of the compliance, the NGT observed that although the document is titled “Environmental Management Plan for Hospitals,” it is presently focused on AIIMS-Delhi. The Tribunal, therefore, suggested that the ministry consider the feasibility of extending the plan, with necessary modifications, to other government hospitals as well.
The Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, Dr A Senthil Vel, Expert Member, and Dr Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, subsequently disposed of the matter.
The AIIMS-Delhi Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is a comprehensive framework mandated by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to reduce vehicular and localised pollution, traffic congestion, and medical waste across the East Ansari Nagar and Masjid Moth campuses.
The EMP outlines specific, targeted interventions to regulate operations within and around the hospital.
