Despite High Court orders, unchecked dumping threatens environment of Palampur
Despite a ban by the Himachal Pradesh High Court, illegal dumping of debris in rivulets and forests continues unabated in Palampur and surrounding areas. Construction material, stones and other waste have reduced the width of many rivulets from the official 60 feet to just 10-15 feet, impacting natural water flow and increasing the risk of flash floods. The Palampur-Mandi highway near Sungal is littered with debris, a clear violation of environmental laws, despite opposition from local environmentalists.
The Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) are responsible for maintaining these roads, yet they have failed to take any enforcement action against violators. Senior PWD officials, who frequently travel these roads, are aware of the situation but have turned a blind eye to the piles of waste along the highways. Although the government has empowered Executive Engineers, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), and Tehsildars to monitor and prevent illegal dumping, these officials rarely act to curb it.
Unchecked dumping has not only damaged the environment but has also weakened roads and retaining walls, which were constructed at great cost. The Palampur-Maranda-Thakurdwara road, particularly near Kalu Di Hatti, has become a dumping site, with waste strewn along the roadside and in nearby pine forests. This widespread disregard for government orders has left the authorities as passive observers to the environmental degradation occurring around them.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently took notice of news reports highlighting the extensive hill cutting near Saurabh Van Vihar and issued notices to the Kangra Deputy Commissioner and the Forest Department for a status report. The ongoing hill-cutting operations are reducing green cover, adversely affecting Palampur's natural beauty and its status as a tea town and tourist destination.
The road near Choki on the Palampur-Maranda route has also suffered due to reckless debris dumping, contributing to fatal accidents on this stretch. The High Court has clearly stated that dumping of garbage, debris and stones in forests, water channels, rivers, highways, and local streams is strictly prohibited, as it obstructs water flow, causes flash floods, and harms the environment. Despite this directive, the NHAI has yet to implement these orders effectively in Kangra district.
With green forests turning into makeshift dumping grounds and unchecked hill-cutting affecting the region’s ecology, it is imperative that authorities enforce the court’s orders to safeguard Palampur’s environment and infrastructure. Immediate action is needed to prevent further ecological harm and ensure public safety.
