Shimla MC to buy plastic waste to check pollution in Ashwani Khad

SHIMLA: In a move to check pollution caused by plastic waste in Ashwani Khud, which supplies water to Shimla town, the Shimla municipal corporation will purchase the waste and will process it in waste to energy plant, the state government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) during a hearing on the matter.
The counsel for the state government informed NGT that plastic waste would either be used for road construction or in waste to energy plant.
The counsel said the Shimla municipal corporation had already taken certain steps in the matter of solid waste management. In an affidavit filed before the tribunal, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has submitted that Solan municipal council is in the process of preparing drain-wise estimate to install plastic trap, nets and check dams.
The NGT had taken up the matter in view of solid waste being allegedly dumped into drains illegally connected to Ashwani Khud. A video clip had also surfaced that showed how the rivulet had turned into a river of plastic.
The NGT had earlier observed that regular removal and cleaning of plastic waste at least after major rain is a minimum requirement for environment protection. It said garbage and plastic trap nets must be installed by the municipal corporation concerned on major khuds (small rivulets) and nullah (drains).
Before taking coercive measures against the Shimla municipal corporation and Solan municipal council, the tribunal had given an opportunity to the said bodies to take immediate remedial action and furnish a report on action taken to the HPSPCB.
Following December 2018 directions of the tribunal, HPSPCB had issued notices to Shimla municipal corporation and Solan municipal council for violation of the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Hearing the matter on Monday, the principal bench of NGT, headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, observed that the SPCB has filed an affidavit on March 6, saying that Shimla municipal corporation has taken certain steps in the matter, including fencing work that will be completed by April 15.
The tribunal has asked the state government to submit action taken report by April 30 while listing the matter for May 5 for further hearing.