NGT directs officials to check dumping of solid waste at unauthorised places

Tribune News Service

Rewari, August 21

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), while disposing of a complaint, has directed the authorities concerned to prohibit littering/dumping of solid waste completely at unauthorised places, particularly roadsides, rivers, waterways, wetlands, lakes, nullahs, panchayat/revenue land, land owned by PWD or other authorities in the state.

In its order passed recently, the NGT has also stated that the violator would be liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs 5,000 in case of the first instance and Rs 10,000 in case of the further instance of littering /dumping of solid waste not falling in the category of bulk waste. The compensation will be Rs 25,000 in case of first instance and Rs 50,000 in case of further instance of littering/dumping of bulk waste by any bulk waste generator, concessionaire, ULB or any other person or body.

Plaint filed in Rewari dist last year

• The action has come on the complaint filed by Prakash Yadav of Kharkara village in Rewari district to the NGT in May last year.
• He had alleged that dry and wet household garbage was being dumped adjacent to Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium in Dharuhera town in Rewari after being collected door to door by the Dharuhera Municipal Committee.

It has also directed the Chief Secretary, Haryana, and the Member Secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), to ensure adequate publicity of these directions through media and also through hoardings, banners etc.

The action came on the complaint filed by Prakash Yadav of Kharkara village in the district before the NGT in May last year.

Yadav, in his complaint, had alleged that dry and wet household garbage was being dumped adjacent to Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium located in the industrial area in Dharuhera town here after being collected door to door by the Dharuhera Municipal Committee.

“The emission of foul smell from the garbage causes inconvenience to those visiting the stadium. Due to this, sportspersons are forced to practise at other places. Despite lodging complaints in this regard, no action was taken by the authorities,” he said.

Yadav said acting on the complaint, the NGT had, in August last year, formed a joint committee of district officials and directed it to inspect the site and to look into the grievances. The committee was also asked to take appropriate remedial action accordingly.

“The committee inspected the site in October last year and recommended the increase of height of wall towards the stadium, plantation along the wall, use of deodorizer to control smell, regular cleaning and sweeping of the road, besides an action plan for disposal of inert waste, compost etc. The MC authorities had increased the height of the wall and used a deodoriser but the smell of garbage persisted,” he added.

Yadav said the NGT had recently disposed of his complaint by issuing some vital directions not only to the district but also state authorities regarding preventing the practice of littering/dumping of garbage at unauthorised places.

“The menace of dumping garbage at unauthorised places leads to serious environmental degradation with consequential air and water pollution, violating the fundamental right to health and clean environment. Appropriate directions should be issued in exercise of power under Section 15 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, on the basis of the Principle of Sustainable Development, Precautionary Principle and Polluter Pays Principle, embodied in Section 20 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010,” states the NGT in the orders.

Regarding imposition of the penalty, the orders further state that Commissioner and Executive Officer concerned of the local urban bodies shall designate appropriate number of officials thereof for imposing environmental compensation on the violators. In addition to such designated Officers of the Municipal Corporation/Municipal Committee, the Regional Officer concerned of the HSPCB shall also be entitled to impose environmental compensation on violators. “Environmental compensation so imposed/realised shall be deposited with the Municipal Corporation/ Municipal Committee/ HSPCB. In case of the non-payment of the environmental fine, it shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue by the competent authority in accordance with law,” adds the orders.

Meanwhile, Harish Sharma, Regional Officer, HSPCB, at Dharuhera told The Tribune that the matter was being taken up with the District Municipal Commissioner and the Dharuhera Municipal authorities so that it could be resolved at the earliest.