The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Himachal Pradesh Government to give a detailed, high-level report on solid waste management in Kullu. It said the “magnitude of the problem” needs stronger action and full compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The case began after a viral video titled ‘From paradise to landfill?’ showed a popular Himachal hill station covered in garbage. The video was widely shared, prompting NGT to take suo motu action earlier this year.
Referring to the heavy waste pile-up seen in the video, the Tribunal said last Thursday that even though some action had been taken, more “appropriate alternative arrangements” were required. The order was uploaded on Friday.
All sides have been given one month to complete the remaining filings. The case will come up for final hearing on January 16, 2026.
At the hearing, the Himachal Advocate General told the Tribunal that the state High Court had also taken suo motu notice and was running a separate monitoring process through CWPIL 36 of 2025. He pointed out orders passed on June 19, July 24, September 1, October 10 and November 12, and argued that NGT should not continue with its own proceedings.
The bench, however, refused to step aside. It said NGT had taken cognisance on June 5 and the matter had already reached an “advanced stage of hearing.” The Tribunal said both bodies could hear the issue at the same time, and if any conflict came up, “the order passed by the Hon’ble Himachal Pradesh High Court shall prevail,” and NGT’s order would be ignored only to that extent.
After reviewing the replies filed so far, NGT asked the Himachal Pradesh chief secretary to file an affidavit, personally or through an authorised officer, explaining what action has been taken to enforce the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, in Kullu district.
NGT also told the chief secretary to instruct the adjudicating officer appointed under the amended Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — Sections 15, 15B and 15C as revised by the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 — to take suo motu action on violations and impose penalties on departments, officers and private bodies.
These details must also be included in the affidavit.
To fix responsibility across government departments, NGT added the chief secretary as respondent no. 6 and the principal secretaries of Urban Development and Rural Development as respondents no. 7 and 8.
The Advocate General accepted notices for these departments in court. These departments must now file their own replies, showing how they are complying with Rules 11 and 13 of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The deputy commissioner of Kullu has already filed a reply dated November 10. However, NGT asked him to file an additional response specifically explaining compliance with the waste management rules.
Respondent no. 5, which manages municipal waste, was directed to submit a clear, tabulated report showing compliance with all clauses from (a) to (zl) of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The Tribunal noted that although the municipal body said it had e-filed its reply on November 12, the Registry could not locate it. NGT asked the Registry to find out why the reply did not appear on the portal and to work with NIC to fix the problem.
The Tribunal also directed the local body to coordinate with the District Environment Committee headed by the deputy commissioner, put the required measures in place, and file a detailed compliance report within two months.
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