Unscientific dumping of solid waste: NGT directs DC Poonch, Municipal Council, and J&K PCC to file a fresh report

Unscientific dumping of solid waste: NGT directs DC Poonch, Municipal Council, and J&K PCC to file a fresh report

POONCH TODAY NEWS

POONCH: In a huge embarrassment for the district administration Poonch, the National Green Tribunal (NGT, New Delhi) has directed the DC Poonch, Municipal Council, and J&K PCC to file a fresh report within six weeks on the issue of not taking proper action on the unscientific dumping and improper management of solid waste and biomedical waste near the S.K. Bridge area.

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The tribunal took note of the fact that J&K PCC imposed the EC of Rs 81 lakh for unscientific dumping of solid waste near the said area. The tribunal also noted that the DM Poonch has not made it clear why the action was not taken for realization of the EC imposed by J&K PCC. So a fresh report was sought from the DM Poonch vide order dated 24-05-2024. But due to a nil response from the DM office, the NGT imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 upon DM for not complying with the order of the Tribunal and not filling the report. Vide order dated 24-05-2024, DM was also directed to disclose the status of the allotment of land for solid waste management by the MC Poonch. However, as per the fresh report from CEO M.C. Poonch, it said that 50,000 metric tons of legacy waste is dumped at W.No. 11, but there is no timeline indicated for clearing the said waste. It is pertinent to mention here that the issue of illegal dumping of solid waste and other biomedical waste has remained in the news. Many prominent persons of the city highlighted this issue many times, but the municipal council always gave the issue a cold shoulder. But the recent directions from NGT on September 9, 2024, are a clear indication that the issue has been given a priority by the NGT in the public interest. In the case between Raja Muzaffar Bhat (applicant) and UT of J&K & ors, the public of Poonch hopes that an appropriate action will be taken by the government as the NGT has taken the issue seriously in the public interest.