Utilise dumping sites better to generate economic opportunities: NGT

CHANDIGARH: Speaking at a conference on environment ‘No Time Left, Act Now’ organised by Environment Department, Punjab Government. Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Chairperson, National Green Tribunal (NGT) urged various stakeholders of cities across the nation to come together and address the growing rate of environmental pollution plaguing the growth rate of cities. The chairperson highlighted the importance of maintaining an ecological balance for the country to flourish and urged authorities to ensure this or face “devastation” in the near future. He urged the Punjab and Haryana governments to restore dumping grounds in the states and replenish the land occupied by the garbage piles. He further highlighted that the country has over 4100 garbage dump sites at present and this land could be leveraged for business and employment opportunities along with simultaneously realising the goal of a cleaner environment. He also said that these grounds emit harmful gases, creating environmental and health hazards besides occupying large lands. Goel said disposing 10 per cent of garbage would result in an increased forest coverage in the region. CAMPA funds could be utilised to carry this out.  

Such an initiative could contribute extensively in ensuring a clean air and pollution free environment for the people, the justice said.