HPSPCB reminds ULBs of 1.90 lakh tonnes of landfill waste

SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) has alarmed the state urban bodies and various state departments about the increasing amount of waste and number of landfill sites in Himachal Pradesh.

Till now, more than 1,90,000 tonne of garbage has accumulated in 15 cities in Himachal Pradesh, while plastic waste is scattered over 70 dumping sites. Sanjay Gupta, Chairman of HPSPCB, has been actively monitoring the progress made by the relevant authorities regarding this issue. However, it appears that breaking the long-standing lethargy of urban local bodies (ULB), in responding to such issues, is not an easy task. 

HPSPCB has issued directives to the Department of Urban Development, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department to take action for scientific disposal of plastic waste. The environmental body has reminded civic bodies of Rule 15 of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, which clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of local authorities and village panchayats regarding scientific management of the solid waste generated in the city and remediation of old landfill sites.

HPSPCB, in its directives, said that 1,90,796 tonne of waste has accumulated in Dharamshala, Mandi, Baddi, Solan, Santokhgarh, Baijnath, Chuwadi, Dalhousie, Kullu, Manali, Bilaspur, Una, Rewalsar, Sarkaghat and Hamirpur ULBs and the progress of remediation of accumulated waste is very slow.

The practice is not in line with the time limit prescribed in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Both urban and rural development departments have been directed to adhere to the provisions of the solid waste management rules 2016, and the progress is being closely monitored by the National Green Authority (NGT). The department has adopted zero tolerance towards ULBs in the state about waste management in Himachal Pradesh.

ULBs near the interstate border have been asked to ensure that people and passengers do not carry poly bags in the state. Himalayan state witnesses a large influx of people for being a popular tourist destination. Stray dogs and other animals scatter the waste from overfilled dustbins in public spaces as they are not being cleared from time to time. On the other hand, the wet garbage collection exercise is still not very effective in tourist destinations, and discarded food attracts monkeys and other stray animals.

Municipal trucks and dumpers carrying garbage throw it downstream around the National Highway (NH) in Manali and Kullu. Shimla and Dharmashala smart cities also pose problems in garbage collection as the topography is tough, and roads and streets are narrow.