Polluted water bodies in Bhaderwah valley
JKPCC asked to disclose action taken for EC imposition
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 13: In a matter relating to polluted water bodies in Bhaderwah valley, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed concern over non-compliance of direction regarding submission of action plan to remediate the problem and has granted eight weeks time to the Deputy Commissioner Doda for filing the report. Moreover, the Tribunal has directed the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) to disclose the action taken for imposition of Environmental Compensation on the defaulting Municipal Committee.
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In the original application highlighting issue of polluted water bodies in Bhaderwah valley on account of increasing population pressure alongside the water bodies and absence of proper sewage system, the NGT in the previous order had noted that such polluted water bodies include sacred Neel Ganga (Neeru) river and human waste and other sources are discharging degradable and non-biodegradable substance.
It was also noted that four streams including Puneja Nallah, Halian, Haloon and Hanga beside sacred Neel Ganga are flowing through the town and earlier these water bodies were used for potable water and other purposes but now they are highly/dangerously polluted.
Accordingly, the Tribunal vide order dated 28.02.2024 had directed the District Magistrate/ Deputy Commissioner, Doda to file the report disclosing the time bound action plan to remediate the problem as also the water sample analysis report from different points of the water bodies/streams/river.
Tribunal had also directed the JKPCC to complete the action including steps for imposition of Environmental Compensation on the defaulting body by following the due process within four weeks from the date of receipt of the report from the three members committee constituted by JKPCC and submit the action taken report.
After analysis of the affidavit dated May 7, 2024 filed by the Deputy Commissioner Doda and report dated May 4, 2024 submitted by JKPCC, the NGT Bench comprising of Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr A Senthil Vel (Expert Member) observed, “we find that in terms of direction of the Tribunal dated 28.02.2024 no time bound action plan to remediate the problem has been filed by the DC Doda nor the JKPCC has submitted the details of levy of Environmental Compensation”.
“Stand of DC Doda is that Neeru is a nallah whereas report of the JKPCC clearly states that Neeru is a river. Member Secretary JKPCC has also stated that Neeru is a sacred river of that area known as Neel Ganga which is a tributary of river Chenab”, the NGT said.
In these circumstances, the NGT has granted further eight weeks time to DC Doda for filing the report disclosing the time bound action plan to remediate the situation. Likewise, Member Secretary JKPCC has been directed to file a fresh report and disclose the action taken for imposition of Environmental Compensation on the defaulting body.
In his affidavit, the Deputy Commissioner Doda has mentioned that to improve condition of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), fifty households responsible for discharging untreated sewage waste due to unconstructed septic tanks/soakage pits have been identified and served challans. Further the violators have been asked to submit affidavits specifying the time frame within which they shall construct their personal septic tanks/soakage pits.
In the meantime, to improve BOD in the nallah, drainage pipes coming out of challaned households are being blocked with cement concrete at outlets and the public toilet which was constructed a long back on the bank of the Puneja Nallah has been closed as there was no feasibility to construct septic tanks/soakage pit there.
Moreover, special teams have been constituted to monitor door-to-door waste collection especially in localities located on the banks of these nallahs and on scientific disposal including segregation at source, recycling and vermin-composting at the material recovery facility, the affidavit said, adding CCTVs have been installed at important places in localities closed to these nallahs for monitoring waste collection and dumping by households and commercial establishments and accordingly fines are being levied upon them to bring out a change.
The JKPCC, in its report, has mentioned that Deputy Commissioner Doda has been provided a detailed frame work for action plan on Solid Waste Management and Liquid Waste Management and advised to prepare a comprehensive action plan for effective solid, liquid and plastic waste management in the district.
Moreover, two Orange category hotels one in Amira Nagar and another in Teligarh found operating without STPs have been ordered to be closed and the Municipal Committee Bhaderwah has also been put to notice for levying of Environmental Compensation.
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