SRINAGAR: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has lauded the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to remediate the Achan Dumping Site and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo’s directive to municipal authorities to develop comprehensive Waste Management Action Plans. These measures, discussed during a review meeting with the Housing and Urban Development Department, aim to enhance the region’s capacity for managing solid and liquid waste.
The Achan remediation project, with a proposed cost of Rs 60.50 crores, will use bio-mining and bio-remediation to address 11 lakh metric tons of legacy waste. The EPG views this as a pivotal step towards addressing long-standing waste challenges in Kashmir and aligning with sustainable development goals.
Chief Secretary Dulloo has emphasised the need for municipalities to prepare scientific, future-oriented plans for treating waste generated daily by households. Municipal Commissioners in Srinagar and Jammu have been tasked with devising component-wise strategies that consider population growth and increased waste production.
The EPG has also highlighted the inconsistent implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, despite prior court directives. Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat’s recent advocacy at the National Green Tribunal has reiterated the urgency of compliance with environmental laws.
Additionally, the EPG has urged the establishment of sewage treatment plants to prevent untreated liquid waste from polluting water bodies like the Jhelum River. The group also supports extending the deadline for proposed amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Unified Building Byelaws, 2021, to allow for broader stakeholder consultation.
While applauding recent developments, the EPG remains committed to promoting effective waste management practices and ensuring adherence to environmental regulations to safeguard public health and ecological integrity.
