The indiscriminate dumping and burning of municipal solid waste in the temple town of Vrindavan has come under the scanner of the National Green Tribunal, which has appointed a local commissioner to investigate the issue.
The green bench headed by Swatanter Kumar, appointed advocate Rahul Khurana as local Commissioner, who shall visit the site in question as well as take a general round of Vrindavan city. He would then submit a comprehensive report on collection, dumping, transportation and burning of municipal solid waste to the Tribunal. This will be discussed during the next hearing scheduled on April 7.
The directions came while hearing of a plea filed by seer Madhumangal Shukla against illegal and unregulated disposal of solid waste in the city. During the hearing, advocate appearing for Shukla, also submitted photographs, showing reckless dumping and burning of municipal waste in the city.
The green panel however did not admit the photographs. It contended that those shown do not depict the proper state of affairs. On the contrary even if some of the photographs shown to the Tribunal are correct, even then, it only reflects the problem of waste burning. But simultaneously, there is also the additional factor of serious repercussions to human health, which also need to be addressed. Hence, It is necessary for the Tribunal to have the correct facts before it can proceed to decide the matter on merits.
The counsel on behalf of Vrindavan Palika Parishad, however, refuted the veracity of the photographs adding that dumping of waste as seen in the pictures was a mischief by somebody. He also assured the tribunal that the Palika was taking adequate steps in this regard.
The NGT had earlier restrained the Vrindavan municipal corporation from burning domestic waste in the open and issued notices to the Environment Ministry, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and others while seeking their reply.
Shukla further alleged that entire environment of Vrindavan was suffering due to the lack of implementation of Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 as garbage was being disposed of carelessly in drains and on the banks of river Yamuna, leading to clogging and stagnation.
The plea claimed that the only landfill site in the city has been sold to Mathura Mandi Samiti for setting up of a wholesale market, resulting in reckless accumulation of garbage on the streets.