Srinagar: An Amicus Curiae appointed in the ongoing proceedings before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has flagged significant gaps in Jammu and Kashmir’s municipal solid waste and sewage management, while recommending a series of measures to protect ecologically sensitive water bodies, including Dal Lake and Wular Lake.
In an observation note submitted before the Principal Bench of the NGT in Original Application No. 606 of 2018, the Amicus Curiae, after examining the Union Territory’s compliance affidavit, noted that J&K generates 1,557 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day, of which 1,027 TPD (66 per cent) is processed, leaving a 530-TPD processing gap. The report also points to an additional 26.2 TPD of uncollected waste.
The note states that nearly 352 TPD of waste is disposed of in landfills, while a proposal to utilise Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) in cement industries is under consideration. It also notes that a 300-TPD Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plant has been approved with a target of completion by March 2027, while two Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste processing plants are expected to be completed this year.
Expressing concern over legacy waste, the Amicus Curiae observed that the Union Territory has around 1.816 million tonnes of legacy waste spread across 101 identified legacy waste sites in 49 urban local bodies. It noted that crucial information relating to leachate management, land recovery, site remediation and utilisation of reclaimed land has not been furnished.
The observation note also highlighted environmental risks associated with waste processing facilities located close to water bodies. It referred to the Bandipora processing unit situated near the Wular Ramsar Wetland, cautioning that leachate from dumpsites could contaminate freshwater sources if left unchecked. It also cited instances where waste processing facilities at RS Pura and Arnia were affected by floods, suggesting the absence of disaster-resilient planning.
On liquid waste management, the report stated that J&K generates 445.647 million litres of sewage per day, while the installed sewage treatment capacity stands at 229 MLD, of which only 137.06 MLD is currently utilised. It identified an overall 323.89 MLD treatment gap and observed that data relating to river water quality, storm-water drains carrying sewage, sewage sludge utilisation and several other parameters had not been provided..
The Amicus Curiae has recommended preparation of dedicated watershed protection plans for Dal Lake and Wular Lake, a complete prohibition on disposal of solid waste and sewage in or around water bodies, submission of detailed leachate management reports, and avoidance of establishing waste processing facilities and sewage treatment plants near rivers and wetlands. It has also urged the UT administration to prepare an in-house plan for RDF utilisation instead of transporting waste to facilities outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The report further sought a comprehensive status report on industrial effluent management across industrial estates in the Union Territory, including details of effluent generation, treatment infrastructure, compliance with pollution control norms and discharge of untreated industrial waste.
