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Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding unscientific dumping of waste, village Jhuriwala, Panchkula, Haryana, 15/11/2022

  • 15/11/2022

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sanjay Kumar Vs Union of India & Others dated 15/11/2022.

The matter related to unscientific dumping of waste on the land allotted for Solid Waste Management project at village Jhuriwala, Panchkula, Haryana. According to the applicant, the site in question is 140 meters away from Khol-Hai-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary.

A joint committee report, November 13, 2022 informed the court that it found non-compliance with the EC conditions and also the consent conditions. Waste was being dumped into the drain. Leachate was mixing with the storm water of the drain joining river Ghaggar. Testing of samples showed that there was contamination of water in the drain.

There was also violation of condition of clearance of the forest land, apart from violation of conditions of the permission granted by the Chief Wildlife Warden. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board issued directions to stop dumping at the site and also recommended levy of environmental compensation for the past violations at approximately Rs. 9 crore.  However, dumping had still not stopped nor protective wall constructed nor other necessary steps taken to remediate the waste. Compensation has also not been paid.

The National Green Tribunal directed the Municipal Corporation, Panchkula and Municipal Council, Kalka to pay Rs. 9 crore and 1 crore respectively for unscientific dumping of waste on the land allotted for Solid Waste Management project at village Jhuriwala, Panchkula, Haryana.

The amount has to be deposited within one month with the District Magistrate, Panchkula for being used for restoration measures in accordance with the District Environment Plan especially to reverse the damage.

To execute the order, the NGT directed the constitution of an eight member joint committee to be headed by Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development, Haryana. The execution will include remediation and recovery of land in question, identification of new site for setting up of adequate capacity of waste processing plant meeting the criteria as per municipal solid waste rules, 2016. Substantial progress in the matter must be achieved within three months, the court said.