Srinagar August 19 (KNS) : The National Green Tribunal- NGT has issued a notice to Jammu & Kashmir Government regarding unscientific waste dumping at Ohangam Beerwah by Rural Development Department -RDD Block Rathsun District Budgam.
The Principal Bench of NGT headed by Justice Praskash Srivastava (Chairperson) has also directed the J&K Pollution Control Committee-JKPCC to visit the site and provide factual details to the tribunal. Pertinently the JKPCC team had already visited the site in June this year after locals agitated over the illegal dumping of waste and setting up of a waste processing site in the area.
The petitioner in the case Raja Muzaffar Bhat had raised a grievance against illegal and unscientific dumping of the municipal solid waste in village Ohangam, Block Rathsun, District Budgam. In his original application-OA the petitioner alleged that the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Budgam and Block Development Officer, Rural Development Block, Rathsun, Budgam were involved in illegal and unscientific dumping of the waste at Ohangam for the last few years against the wishes of local residents. The waste is being dumped near the main road which is surrounded by three water canals which violates MSW Rules 2016 and 2026.
The counsel for the petitioner Advocate Saurabh Sharma in support of such allegations presented a geotagged photographs and inspection report of J&K Pollution Control Committee- JKPCC which clearly said that waste was being dumped illegally at the site. The JKPCC report placed on record before NGT's Principal Bench reads:
“Upon physical verification of the site, the following observations were made: The waste is being dumped at the roadside of Ohangam-Rathsun Soibugh road, which is a major district road connecting adjacent villages. Some ongoing construction work at plinth level was also
observed at the site. The site is located approximately 125 meters away from a nearby educational institution, approximately 200 meters away from human habitation nearest house at 120 meter and is surrounded by orchards on all sides.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelStray dogs were witnessed roaming around the site, posing a threat to locals and school children. Foul smell emanating
from the dumped waste was noticeable on the road, making the road inconvenient for road users and causing public nuisance. The concerned department, namely the Rural Development Department (RDD), Budgam, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat and BDO Rathsun, are primarily responsible for ensuring segregation, processing, and scientific disposal of waste as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016/2026.”
The order of the Principal Bench of NGT reads :
“The OA raises substantial issues relating to compliance of the environmental norms. Issue Notice to the Respondents. The Applicant is directed to serve the Respondents and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next date of hearing. In the meanwhile, the Respondent No. 3 (JKPCC) is directed to get the spot inspection done and ascertain the correct status about illegal dumping of the waste and if the allegations are correct the appropriate punitive and remedial measures will be taken. Let the status and action taken report be submitted by the Respondent No. 3 at least one week before the next date of hearing “
“It is ironic that tons of untreated waste has been dumped at Ohangam in the last 2 years by RDD Rathsun block and the site selection was not done by local Halqa Majlis /Gram Sabha. Now the department is planning to set up a waste management plant (plastic waste processing plant) which is also illegal as the said site cannot be set up without consent of Halqa Majlis (Gram Sabha) and it violates the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 itself and MSW Rules 2026. Let Govt allocate land for this unit in Industrial Estate and setting up such plant in a village against the wishes of locals is illegal” said Dr Raja Muzaffar
The case is now listed for next hearing on 29th October.(KNS)