NGT instructs Rajasthan Government to monitor waste management

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Government of Rajasthan to monitor and coordinate waste management at the district level and at the state level through the District Magistrates and the Chief Secretary.

While hearing a complaint about illegal solid waste disposal in Adampur village, Dholpur district, which had harmed the Ramsagar pond and the soil in the area, the principal court led by Justice (Retd.) Adarsh Kumar Goel, Chairperson, NGT, stated that in the interests of public health, the environment, and the rule of law, legacy waste remediation is critical. The lack of finances cannot be used as an excuse because this is a constitutional obligation of the state. Furthermore, if there is any further delay by the government, coercive measures will be undertaken, such as the suspension of any new project in the state until funds are made available for the purpose of complying with statutory waste management rules.

According to the government, 88.7 million cubic meters of legacy garbage are stored at 176 locations across 171 Urban Local Bodies, with 2.29 million cubic meters remediated in 11 ULBs and 7.2 million cubic meters remediated in 14 ULBs.