Sir,
This refers to article by Dr Raja Muzaffar “Judiciary the only hope”’ (DE 19/4/2018). I would like to congratulate Environmental Policy Group (EPG) an NGO based in Srinagar which has sought judicial intervention in the scientific waste management in J&K. In past also EPG has filed several PILs on the issue of environmental degradation especially encroachment of wetlands and illegal construction in tourist spots. A detailed order issued by High Court division bench of Justice S Ramalingam and Justice M K Hanjora on the very first day of hearing of this PIL makes it amply clear that Judiciary is very much serious about management of solid waste in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. As mentioned in the article , waste management is not a baby of municipal authorities only, but there are several other Government organisations like Rural Sanitation , Rural Development, Horticulture , Irrigation and Tourism departments who have a role to play in scientific solid waste management. I would appeal Tourism Minister Tasaduk Mufti to focus on waste management rather than getting involved in civil and other construction works at tourist places like Patnitop, Sanasar, Sudh Mahadev, Gulmarg , Sonmarg and Pahalgam. During holy Amarnath Yatra also Shri Amarnath Shrine Board also has a role to play in this regard.
Rural Development department also has a tremendous role. Swach Baharat Mission Grameen has a provision of solid waste management but our DCs and BDOs are only stressing upon construction of lavatories. Out of 5 years 3 years or more have already elapsed and solid waste management work is yet to be taken up in rural areas of J&K. Similarly fruit and vegetable waste is also not treated by Horticulture and Agriculture departments inside fruit Mandis. Irrigation department is not clearing solid waste from Irrigation canals inspite of the fact that Swach Nehar Abhiyan was launched last year by P N Bali the then Chief Engineer Irrigation & FC Jammu. As the matter is before the court of law , we hope Judiciary will grill all these departments and seek an update from them about implementation of various schemes with regard to waste management and sanitation.
Yours etc…..
Sanjeev Kumar
Trikuta Nagar Jammu
II
Sir,
This refers to “Judiciary only hope” by Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat (DE 19/4/2018). Judiciary is indeed the only hope for enforcement of waste management rules of 2016 in Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu / Srinagar Municipal Corporations , Pollution Control Board , Directorate Urban Local Bodies and all the Municipal Councils and Committees have taken these rules for-granted. It is not only 2016 Solid Waste Rules which call upon Municipal authorities to manage waste by way of source segregation and processing, but the 2000 rules passed 19 years back too have these provisions. There is a criminal negligence on part of SMC, JMC and all other smaller municipalities vis a vis implementation of 2000 and 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules. I hope during the next hearing of this PIL on Solid Waste Management filed by Environmental Policy Group (EPG) J&K High Court must seek an answer from Government over their 19 years negligence on waste management. Pollution Control Board (PCB) must also gear up its activities and instead of targeting small industrial unit holders , it must start penalizing fruit mandis, municipal corporations / committees and other institutions of Government who have failed to adhere to Solid Waste Rules of 2016.
Yours etc…..
Shahnawaz Mir
Khansahib, Budgam
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