NGT directs remedial action against unscientific dumping of municipal waste in Pulwama
New Delhi, Oct 19: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken cognisance of the unscientific dumping of municipal solid waste (MSW) near Newa village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, issuing directions for remedial action and monitoring by the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC).
The petition concerning the environmental hazard posed by the Municipal Council (MC) Pulwama was disposed of on the very first day of hearing by the Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Srivastava and expert member A Shenthil Veil.
The petitioner, Raja Muzaffar Bhat, was directed to approach the CEO of the Municipal Committee Pulwama with a detailed representation.
The NGT order stipulates that if the grievance is verified, the municipal solid waste around the site must be cleared within three months.
Following this, the JKPCC is mandated to inspect the site after three months to ascertain compliance, with the authority to impose environmental compensation if violations persist.
“If the violation is found to be continuing, appropriate action for imposition of environmental compensation will be initiated by respondent number 2 (JKPCC),” the order reads.
The issue stems from long-standing waste disposal practices by MC Pulwama.
Earlier, municipal waste was dumped near the Dangerpora locality within the town.
Once the area became saturated, waste-laden vehicles began transporting refuse to Newa village, approximately 5 km from Pulwama town.
“The area chosen is Karewa land surrounded by apple, plum, and almond orchards. MC Pulwama is openly violating MSW Rules 2016 by bringing mixed waste to the site. Moreover, the waste is being buried under soil and burned in the evenings, which is illegal. We have photographs and videos, presented before the NGT, confirming these violations. The site cannot even be developed as a sanitary landfill due to its elevated terrain,” said Advocate Saurabh Sharma, counsel for the petitioner.
Bhat, through Advocate Sharma, filed the original application (OA No 515-2025) against MC Pulwama for unscientific dumping of municipal, biomedical, and plastic waste at the Newa (Haes Khodd) Karewa land.
The petition highlighted that MSW dumping violated the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, including the absence of source segregation before disposal.
The petitioner also flagged potential hazards to aircraft, noting a significant presence of birds, particularly eagles, near the garbage site over the past three to four months, which could increase the risk of bird strikes.
The NGT order, dated October 13, 2025, underscores procedural compliance, stating: “The counsel for the applicant has referred to the photographs on Page No 44 of the OA. Though counsel submits that a complaint on Page No 49 was made to the authorities, no comprehensive complaint addressed to respondent No 3, CEO, Municipal Council, Pulwama, is on record. We are of the view that the grievance must first be examined by the respondent No 3, CEO. If the allegations are found correct, expeditious remedial action is required within three months from receipt of the complaint. Respondent No 2, JKPCC, will inspect the site after three months, and if violations persist, appropriate action for environmental compensation will be initiated.”
The tribunal has emphasised local accountability while ensuring regulatory oversight, signaling a firm stance against environmentally harmful practices in Pulwama’s ecologically sensitive zones.
