Committee Headed by Tarigami Seeks Reports on Achan, Bhagwati Nagar Dumpsites and Pollution in Water Bodies
Srinagar, June 18: The Committee on Environment of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday recommended a complete ban on plastic bags across the Union Territory and urged the government to issue an executive order to curb plastic pollution, while also calling for immediate dialogue to resolve the ongoing strike by sanitation workers engaged by Urban Local Bodies.
The meeting of the Committee was held at the Assembly Secretariat under the chairmanship of MLA M.Y. Tarigami and was attended by legislators Professor Gharu Ram, Dr. Baldev Raj Sharma, Showkat Hussain Ganie, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, Salman Sagar, Javaid Riyaz (Bedar), Rameshwar Singh and Devyani Rana.
Expressing concern over the growing menace of plastic pollution in Jammu and Kashmir, the Committee observed that indiscriminate use of plastic, particularly single-use plastic, has emerged as a major environmental challenge, adversely affecting public health, polluting water bodies and degrading the ecological balance of the region.
The Committee urged the government to impose a comprehensive ban on plastic bags in the interest of environmental protection, public health and sustainable development. It also asked the J&K Pollution Control Committee to intensify enforcement measures and ensure strict implementation of laws aimed at eliminating single-use plastics, especially around tourist destinations, religious shrines and ecologically sensitive areas.
The Committee took serious note of the indefinite strike by sanitation workers engaged as Casual Labourers (CLs) and Daily Rated Workers (DRWs) by various Urban Local Bodies. Describing sanitation workers as an indispensable component of urban civic services, it directed the Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, to initiate immediate dialogue with the agitating workers and examine their genuine demands to resolve the impasse.
Members of the Committee unanimously stressed the need for coordinated action by the J&K Pollution Control Committee, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Jammu Municipal Corporation to make Jammu and Kashmir plastic-free.
The Committee also sought a comprehensive report on the environmental impact of the Achan landfill site in Srinagar and the Bhagwati Nagar dumping site in Jammu, including the status of legacy waste remediation, scientific waste processing, compliance with National Green Tribunal directives and progress under the proposed Integrated Solid Waste Management Project at Achan.
It directed the concerned departments to furnish details regarding the impact of waste management activities on Anchar Lake, surrounding habitations and ecosystems, along with measures taken to prevent leachate generation, groundwater contamination, air pollution and public health hazards.
Pollution concerns relating to the River Tawi, Surinsar-Mansar Lake and other water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir also came up for discussion. The Committee directed officers to conduct on-the-spot inspections and submit reports on conservation and restoration measures required for these water bodies.
It further sought details from the Jammu Municipal Corporation regarding initiatives undertaken for restoration and conservation of ponds, lakes and other water bodies within municipal limits, including efforts to revive encroached and degraded water bodies.
After detailed deliberations, Tarigami directed the concerned officers to take immediate remedial measures and submit an Action Taken Report at the next meeting of the Committee.
Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development; Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment; Chairman of the J&K Pollution Control Committee; Commissioners of JMC and SMC; Director Urban Local Bodies and other senior officers attended the meeting.
