SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh: The Government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to form a dedicated ‘environmental cell’ within the Department of Urban Development to improve the overall solid and liquid waste management in urban areas of Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, highlighted the need for this environmental cell to tackle the rising waste management issue in most urban local bodies. About 60 urban local bodies, including five municipal corporations, 29 municipal councils, and 26 nagar panchayats, have been struggling to meet the increasing demand for municipal services.
The official statement released in this regard said, “Solid and liquid waste management is the biggest challenge being faced by urban local bodies today. Therefore, there will be a dedicated cell to meet these challenges, ensuring cleaner and more sustainable urban environments across Himachal Pradesh.”
CM also emphasised that waste piling can have a cascading effect on public health, the environment, and the overall quality of life.
Right now, though the Department of Urban Development is responsible for implementing the various waste management rules, it does not have the technical manpower for the effective implementation of these rules. The environmental cell will work to bridge this technical and manpower gap.