Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 21: Taking suo moto cognizance of a news item published in the Daily Excelsior about environmental degradation at Katra due to solid waste dumps and resulting contamination of water of Jhajjar rivulet, the State Level Committee of National Green Tribunal has called status report from Deputy Commissioner Reasi, with regard to the implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules in district Reasi and Katra town in particular.
Report has also been called from the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in regard to the role, if any, of the Shrine Board in implementation of the SWM Rules in Katra township.
According to an order, issued in this regard by the Chairman of State NGT, Justice (Retd) Janak Raj Kotwal, report should reach to the office of State Level Committee on or before June 8, 2019 when the matter shall come up for further consideration.
Pertinent to mention that the Excelsior, in its today’s edition, has carried a news items, captioned ‘ Katra solid waste dump pollutes Jhajjar rivulet’, whereby a statement made by the National Conference provincial president Devinder Singh Rana, reveals inter alia worsening environmental scenario due to solid waste dumps in the holy township of Katra, resulting into contamination of the water of Jhajjar rivulet, which is main source of drinking water for a huge population on its banks and peripheral area.
The statement further shows that the ‘highly deplorable sanitation situation in Katra is a cause of concern, not only to the local population but also for thousands of pilgrims visiting on daily basis to pay obeisance at Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Observing that the statement shows horrible environmental degradation at the base camp of world famous pilgrimage and speaks about administrative apathy, the State NGT said that the news item has caused serious aspersion on the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in Katra township.
“It indicates serious violation and non-implementation of SWM Rules by unscientific dumping and disposal of the solid waste, likely to result into environmental hazard and contamination of water and pollution of air in the township in particular and the surrounding areas in general,” the NGT order reads.
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