RAJINDER SINGH Vs. STATE OF J&K AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) On the previous occasion, that is on 20.12.2017, this Court had given several directions pertaining to (a) the stoppage of dumping of solid waste at the site near the Jammu Airport and development of the sanitary land fill site at Kot Bhalwal, in terms of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016; (b) the preparation of the e-Waste management plan; (c) drawing up an action plan with regard to bio-medical waste; and (d) for indicating the alternatives to land fill sites for disposal/utilization of the solid waste, such as, waste-to-energy plants, recycling plants etc..

(2.) Insofar as the first direction is concerned with regard to the land fill site near the Jammu Airport, we are informed by Mr Nanda, appearing on behalf of the Jammu Municipal Corporation, that dumping at that site had been stopped and the site at Kot Bhalwal is being used. We are also informed that the Pollution Control Board has designated two Scientists to assist the Jammu Municipal Corporation for Bio-remediation of the site near the Airport which was hitherto being used as a dumping site. Dr. Yash Pal, Scientist Laboratory (Air and Water), Jammu is present. He has indicated that the process of Bioremediation would take at least three months. He has indicated that after the said process, the non-bio-degradable plastics may be picked up for recycling and other disposal methods. We hope that this process is carried out expeditiously and in right earnest so that the waste which had been dumped near the Airport over all these years is consumed by the process of bio-remediation.

(3.) Insofar as e-waste management is concerned, a Committee has been constituted by virtue of Government Order No. 41-HUD of 2018 dated 05.02.2018 for formulation of an appropriate action plan for e-waste management at Jammu. The Committee comprises of the Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (Chairman) and three members Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; Scientist A, representative of the State Pollution Control Board; and an expert who is specialized in the management of e-Waste to be co-opted by the Committee. By virtue of the said Government order, the Committee is required to submit its report within a period of two months, that is, by 5th of April, 2018.