Social activist and president of Himalaya Environment and Employment Cooperative Society ltd Ashok Thapliyal has submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate on Monday in which he alleged that Pauri municipal board is dumping garbage in ravine near residential area and burning waste in the forest areas.
This is damaging environment and playing havoc with the health of the common people residing in the area, the memorandum ran. It further mentioned that this is despite the fact that the district administration has allotted a place in the lower Chopara on Pauri—Srinagar road for disposal of the garbage and waste products.
The matter was raised by the organisation at National Green Tribunal in the form of a petition. Subsequently, NGT gave its final ruling on September 2 2014, stating that the civic board could use this land temporary for disposing garbage and waste products strictly under the MSW-2000 rules.
Thapliyal stated in the memorandum that the board has been violating NGT order for the past one year. The municipal board is still dumping the waste hither and thither and burning it in the forest in the vicinity of the residential areas. He further alleged that the board is now digging holes for disposal of garbage in assistance with the district administration without taking the people residing in the area in confidence.
Thapliyal requested the DM to direct the municipal board to dispose of garbage and waste products scientifically in consonance with the MSW rules as directed by NGT.