JUDGMENT :

Heard Shri Umesh Vats learned counsel for the petitioner, Shri Aditya Shanker, holding brief of Shri Mehul Khare, learned counsel appearing for respondent Nos. 2, 3 and 4 and learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of respondent Nos. 1, 5, and 6.

2. The petitioner-Nagar Palika Parishad, Khoda Makanpur, district Ghaziabad has invoked writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of Constitution of India challenging the order dated 30.7.2024, whereby the Chief Environment Officer, Region-I, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, T.C.-12th, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow has asked the petitioner to deposit a sum of Rs. 91,25,000/- (rupees ninety one lac twenty five thousand) as environmental compensation. A consequential recovery citation issued by the Tehsil Authorities on 27.10.2024 has also been challenged. A further direction has been sought commanding the respondents not to proceed with recovery against the petitioner.

3. Brief facts of the case are that the petitioner is a Municipality defined under Section 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1916 and it was handed over a land for establishment of wastage processing and solid waste plant on 21.12.202