Srinagar, Apr 19 (KNO): In a significant push for environmental accountability, activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat has submitted a detailed rebuttal to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), challenging the claims made by the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) regarding waste management in Poonch district. Despite official assurances of progress, Bhat warns that illegal waste dumping continues unabated along the Poonch River and undermines efforts to address environmental concerns.
Bhat's submission, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reveals stark discrepancies between the claims of the JKPCC and the harsh reality on the ground. Recent photographic evidence from April 2025 highlights ongoing waste dumping near the Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge, where a mere structural shed masquerades as a processing facility.
"This setup not only lacks legitimacy but also violates Solid Waste Management Rules due to its alarming proximity to the river," Bhat said, adding that this poses environmental hazards to the people.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the activist has accused the authorities of financial negligence, pointing to Rs 2.52 crore in environmental penalties imposed for violations between May and December 2024. Despite these penalties, he asserts that no recovery has occurred, which has raised concerns about the effectiveness of regulatory measures.
He said the absence of updated penalties for continuing infractions beyond September 2024, despite overwhelming evidence of ongoing environmental violations.
Bhat also flagged discrepancies in official data related to daily waste generation and recycling efforts. He claimed that the JKPCC had manipulated language in their reports, exaggerating recycling performance by replacing the term "recyclable" with "recycled", thereby misrepresenting the actual outcomes of waste management efforts.
The NGT had previously taken action against local officials for persistent non-compliance, including a Rs 10,000 fine imposed on the District Magistrate of Poonch in September 2024 for failing to submit updated compliance reports. In light of these failures, the activists is now calling for the criminal prosecution of those responsible under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
“The ongoing inaction not only signifies bureaucratic indifference but also poses a serious threat to both environmental integrity and public health,” Bhat warned—(KNO)