The National Green Tribunal has concluded its deliberations on the issue of solid and liquid waste management by all states and Union Territories and said the way forward is to give high priority to the issue and carry out strict monitoring.
The NGT said the scope of this order is to compile and collate the background of waste management in the country along with data stored by the chief secretaries of all states and Union territories, besides analysis and directions for further follow-up.
The tribunal headed by Chief Justice AK Goel said, “As the tribunal has directed the Chief Secretaries of all states/UTs to submit further progress reports every six months, which would be taken up by the tribunal for further consideration, if necessary, the proceedings continue. closed for now, subject to further compliance monitoring if necessary.”
“…the way forward must be consistent with high priority of the subject and strict monitoring and higher levels of administration in the states as well as in the central government by creating specialized monitoring cells to hold accountable for deviations from the stipulated deadlines,” the bench, which also consists of a judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vela, he added.
The bench said that the issue of solid waste management was monitored by the Supreme Court and the NGT from 1996 to 2014 and though there were statutory rules and policies, the measures on the ground were insufficient.
“There are mountains of garbage producing methane and other gases that are a source of disease and death… Our conclusion is that passing laws and court/tribunal directives are no substitute for good governance and unless the administration gives the subject a high priority.” , detected undesirable situations may not be eliminated,” it said.
The bench also said that taking people on board and changing the mindset is a must for hours. Regarding liquid waste management, the bench said discharge of sewage into drains, rivers and water bodies results in scarcity of drinking water for all living beings besides degrading the environment and harming public health.
It said that the matter related to the pollution of rivers Ganga and Yamuna was being followed by the Supreme Court for several decades and the apex court in its order dated February 22, 2017 had set a deadline which was being followed by the tribunal for the last six years.
“The water quality of a large number of rivers (including Ganga and Yamuna), lakes, coastal areas and other water bodies are thus polluted. It needs to be tackled on a war footing, using indigenous technology wherever possible or such other technologies but not a drop of sewage can be mixed in drinking water,” the bench said.
In view of the adverse impact on biological diversity and the citizens’ right to access to drinking water, there is no reason to delay remedial measures, she said. Meaningful realization of citizens’ right to a clean environment, which is part of the right to life, and an important aspect of sustainable development cannot be wished for, the bench said.
