Srinagar, Oct 01 (KNO): The Poonch district administration and Municipal Council have taken a series of measures to address legacy waste, prevent garbage from entering the Poonch River and strengthen solid waste management in the district, as part of compliance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The action has been reported before the NGT in connection with Original Application No. 253/2023, filed by Raja Muzaffar Bhat against the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and others.
Separate compliance documents submitted by the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, and the Municipal Council have detailed the remedial measures being undertaken to address the issue of accumulated waste and prevent further pollution of the river.
According to the compliance documents, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the administration has directed the Municipal Council to lift the legacy waste dumped near the Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge and shift it to a safer location away from the river. Officials have also been directed to ensure that waste does not enter or flow into the Poonch River, particularly during the monsoon season.
For scientific remediation of the accumulated legacy waste, machinery and equipment have been installed at the site. CCTV cameras are also being used to monitor and record the collection, remediation and scientific processing of the waste the Municipal Council has stated that the remediation process is being monitored and efforts are being made to complete the work in a time-bound manner.
The measures are aimed at addressing the existing legacy waste as well as preventing further dumping and discharge of waste into the Poonch River, as per the compliance submitted before the NGT.
As part of the long-term waste-management plan, an eight-kanal parcel of State land at Village Banwat has been transferred in favour of the Municipal Council for construction of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
The Council said construction of the facility is underway, while the remaining works related to its establishment and commissioning are being completed at the earliest in accordance with the approved plan and technical specifications. The Deputy Commissioner formally transferred the land to the Municipal Council for the MRF through an order dated May 6, 2026.
The administration has also initiated steps to develop the sump site, where legacy waste has been handled, as an Eco Park/River Front. The Municipal Council said the proposed development is aimed at productive utilisation of the former waste site and creating a green and recreational space, subject to the required approvals.
The Council has also reported steps to regulate freshly generated municipal solid waste through improved door-to-door collection, segregation, processing and scientific disposal.
An agreement has also been entered into for the scientific processing and disposal of municipal solid waste. The Municipal Council has further undertaken procurement of e-rickshaws for door-to-door garbage collection, along with a municipal garbage vehicle, through the sanctioned funds.
The reports have also disclosed an environmental compensation liability of Rs 3.532 lakh. The Council stated that Rs 3 lakh had already been deposited, while the remaining amount was yet to be paid due to financial constraints. The Community Hall of the Council was also seized in connection with the recovery of the compensation, as mentioned in the report.
The Deputy Commissioner has assured continued monitoring of the remedial measures and submission of further progress reports before the NGT as and when directed.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Council stated that it is taking necessary steps to ensure compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules and the directions of the Tribunal, while continuing efforts towards scientific remediation of legacy waste and proper management of freshly generated municipal solid waste—(KNO)