JAMMU, Apr 21: The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) comprising Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel (Chairperson), Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Dr A Senthil Vel (Expert Member) and Dr Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member), has directed the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) and District Magistrate of Poonch to furnish a joint report on the matter of polluting the Poonch River by hazardous waste, after verifying the facts, and take remedial action.The application was filed by RTI activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat raising concerns of dumping unscientific solid waste and bio-medical waste in the area falling between Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge (NG 144A) and the confluence of Poonch River and Belar Nala, near Poonch Town in Jammu & Kashmir.The applicant claimed that the dumping of such waste has a harmful impact on the Poonch River, which is a source of drinking water in the area, and the authorities have failed to take remedial action in spite of representations.Considering the allegations, the NGT has directed the J&K PCC and District Magistrate, Poonch to furnish a joint report in the matter of polluting Poonch river by hazardous waste after verifying facts and take remedial action within two months.It further directed that the J&K PCC will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. “The report is required to mention the steps taken to prevent such dumping and the management of solid waste and bio-medical waste in the area”, the NGT said.The Committee has also been directed to look into the order of NGT dated 20.10.2022 in O.A. No. 606/2018 and provide a status report of compliance related to the concerned area. The matter will now be taken up on July 12.
