It sounds very crude that in modern age there is no proper and scientific management of solid waste in medium towns of the State, not to speak of smaller towns. The whole world has recognized that solid waste if not managed properly could become a source of threat to human life. But human life is so cheap in our State that the Government does not consider it a serious matter if for one or the other reason, administration fails to enforce solid waste management programme. Population is fast increasing in our State and land is shrinking. Environmental pollution is the gift of modern demographic complexion when there is gradual but perennial migration from rural to urban areas. Population of the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu, and also of medium size towns like Anantnag, Sopore, Baramulla, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Bhaderwah and Poonch have also recorded sharp increase in population. With urbanization, many serious issues surface and the Government is unable to cope with these unless there is planning and implementation of the approved plans. Increased population has made our towns and cities polluted in many ways besides giving the headache of shortage of drinking water, power supply and other necessary amenities. Land is shrinking because people cannot wait long years for the Government to raise residential colonies. In a sense something like chaotic situation is prevailing. Municipalities are unable to cope with the task that lies ahead of them.
Greatly concerned about scientific disposal of solid waste because it was a health hazard, the Union Government launched Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) in the year 2005-06. The objective of the scheme was to provide better civic amenities in towns and its one component was exclusively framed for solid waste management. The scheme was launched in our State in the year 2007-08. Seven towns of Jammu division namely Akhnoor, Sunderbani, Samba, Doda, Bhaderwah, Poonch and Kathua were earmarked to be covered by the scheme and an amount of 19.34 crore was sanctioned for them.
We have very sordid story about what fate the scheme met in these towns. Owing to failure on the part of the Urban Local Bodies Department to identify and procure land in the selected towns, the scheme could not be implemented. It should be mentioned that the Government had sought the approval on the basis of Detailed Project Reports prepared after on-spot inspection of the sites. Raising solid waste management units in the towns under discussion was handed over to the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC). It is pertinent to mention that the Union Government had agreed to bear the cost and allocation of funds was also sanctioned. But despite all this, none of the towns has got the project. Three towns, namely Doda, Bhaderwah and Sunderbani, where the Government claimed installing solid waste management unit, are not fully functional. Practically none of the seven towns of Jammu region had the good luck to have the solid waste management unit.
It is a matter of great disappointment that the State Government has adopted somewhat callous attitude towards a very sensitive issue in which the health of the general public is involved. These and other diseases spread mostly owing to pollution of air, water, and environment. Solid waste is most dreadful of pollutants. Ignoring its scientific treatment is direct invitation to the epidemics.
The reason given by the Urban Local Bodies Department for his organization’s inability to set up the units is non-availability of land at selected district headquarters. No doubt, we have great scarcity of land in our State and people are unwilling to give their land to the Government. But we cannot forget that we have the Land Acquisition Act and under its clauses land owners cannot refuse to give their lands to the Government in return of adequate price and compensation. Even if they feel that they are not adequately compensated, they can go in for appeal against the award and the court of law is bound to do justice to them.
The new dispensation has the responsibility of proceeding with the project. If funds are lapsed, fresh initiative has to be made and the project is to be revived owing to its great importance. The bygone chapter has to be closed and fresh attempt has to be made and made without loss of time because the health of the people is involved.
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