Ensure waste is not dumped in open: NGT to Shimla civic body

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Shimla Municipal Council to ensure that garbage is not dumped in open areas and the waste is properly segregated and disposed in a scientific manner.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the civic body to file an appropriate application for setting up of a landfill site before the Himachal Pradesh government in two weeks and asked the state to decide the issue expeditiously.

The tribunal's direction came as it disposed of a plea filed by local resident Rakesh Kashyap alleging that despite order of the NGT, the nunicipal council was throwing garbage in open areas which was harmful for the environment and public health.

"In the meanwhile, the council will ensure that the waste is being dumped, segregated and deposited in a proper way by covering with mud and spraying of disinfectants from time to time," the bench said.

During the hearing, the lawyer appearing for the council told the bench that they lacked funds to manage any landfill site and it collected garbage with due care.

Additional Advocate General, appearing for Himachal Pradesh, said the council should file a proper application to the state government for allotment of an appropriate land which is suitable as per the Solid Waste Management Rules.