Srinagar Dec 22 (KNS): The Srinagar based J&K Climate Action Group-JKCAG has urged the J&K Anti Corruption Bureau -ACB and the Principal Accountant General’s-PAG's office to initiate a probe into the construction of waste management plant for more than Rs 6 crores by Municipal Committee Awantipora at Dangerpora Padgampora area of Pulwama as the same according to JKCAG, is defunct as waste is being dumped unscientifically around this. According to a press statement the group recently visited the site and will be submitting a formal report to the Government, ACB & PAG's office

According to locals the site has turned into a safe haven for stray dogs who are seen roaming around this area like herds of sheep ? The stray dogs attack people, especially small school going kids, and women.

"They do not even leave our livestock, especially sheep. The women are reluctant to go to the agriculture fields and the same is the case with school going kids? The plastic waste has accumulated in the paddy land located around the garbage station which gets blown up with gusty winds. Pungent smell is making our lives hell, especially in summer months. People of Dangerpora Padgampora need justice” said Mushtaq Ahmad Chairman Auqaf Committee Dangerpora

Members of JK Climate Action Group- JKCAG led by Chairman Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat recently visited the site recently and found site working in open violation of MSW Rules 2016

“The municipal solid waste-MSW is lying scattered, there was a foul smell around even in this cold weather and waste was burning at three to four different places. The irrigation canal supplying water to more than 10,000 kanals (1250 acres) of paddy land passes through this site and is hardly 5 to 7 meters away from the garbage dumping site.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThis is a clear violation of Municipal Solid Waste Rules-MSW Rules 2016 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution Act) 1974. The burning of municipal solid waste violates the Air Pollution Act 1981 as well. If Rs 6 crores have been provided by the Govt of India for setting up a scientific waste management plant , why is open dumping of waste being done ? I appeal ACB & AG’s office to take a notice of this “ said Dr Raja Muzaffar

JKPCC’s Inspection Report

It is worth mentioning that the District Officer of J&K Pollution Control Committee -JKPCC Pulwama in August this year visited the site and prepared an inspection report. The report says that the site has come up illegally without any consent from JK Pollution Control Committee. The JKPCCs report reads:

“The dumping site has come up illegally without prior consent of JKPCC thus inviting trouble for the nearby residents. As an unbearable odour is being generated from the site , the illegal site thus destroys the habitat, biodiversity and also destroys the ecosystem. Poorly managed dumping site attract insects , stray dogs and birds etc increasing the risks of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, cholera. The leachate can also contaminate the groundwater.”

“The JKPCC issued a notice to MC Awantipora for violation of Environmental Pollution Act 1986 and MSW Rules 2016. Even after this notice, the Municipal Committee-MC Continues to dump the waste at this site? The waste from adjoining localities, Tral town & security force camps is also brought to Dangerpora Padgampora site. On the other hand more than Rs 5 crores have been utilized for this site ? The output is zero “ Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat added.(KNS)