ngt-issues-notices-over-hazardous-waste-dumping-in-siliguri

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the regional offices of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in West Bengal and Sikkim concerning the alleged unauthorised disposal of medical and hazardous waste in Siliguri’s Farabari area.

 

The Tribunal acted on its own cognisance of a newspaper report highlighting the illegal dumping of waste in the vacant plot, reportedly transported from neighbouring Sikkim.

 

cThe dumping has not only flouted environmental regulations but has also caused significant inconvenience to local residents.

 

In its order dated 27 November, the Tribunal's bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and comprising Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, noted, “The article highlights that the situation became more complicated when it was revealed that the owner of the vacant plot had made private arrangements with truck drivers for waste disposal without obtaining necessary clearances from the local panchayat or other relevant authorities.”

 

The Tribunal pointed out that such "irresponsible dumping" contravenes environmental laws, including the Solid Waste Management Rules and the Environment (Protection) Act. "The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms," it observed.

 

As part of its proceedings, the NGT has added the regional offices of the Union Ministry of Environment, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the state pollution control boards of West Bengal and Sikkim as respondents.

 

“Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply,” the Tribunal directed, further instructing that the replies be submitted before its eastern zonal bench in Kolkata at least a week before the next hearing scheduled for 30 January.

 

The matter has drawn attention to the challenges posed by unauthorised waste disposal and the gaps in regulatory enforcement, especially in sensitive areas like Siliguri.

 

The environmental impact and the legal ramifications are likely to come under intense scrutiny in the forthcoming proceedings.