Bombay High Court Orders MPCB to Assess Charcoal's Environmental Impact

Court directs MPCB to determine if charcoal is a non-polluting fuel and provide findings by April 21, following BCMA's plea over alleged misinterpretation of prior directives.

• The Bombay High Court has tasked the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) with evaluating whether charcoal qualifies as an approved, non-polluting fuel.
• The Bombay Charcoal Merchants Association (BCMA) claims that notices issued to bakeries using charcoal misinterpret a January court order and harm livelihoods.
• The MPCB has been directed to grant the BCMA a hearing and submit its findings on charcoal's environmental impact within four weeks.
• The BCMA argues that charcoal is distinct from coal, citing its lack of sulfur content and inclusion in approved fuel lists by other regulatory bodies like the DPCC.
• NGO Vanashakti has been allowed to participate in the hearings, reflecting the broader environmental implications of the case.

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