Highlights 1.8 million tonnes of legacy waste, calls for dedicated protection plans
Srinagar, Jun 24: An Amicus Curiae appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised concerns over gaps in municipal solid waste and sewage management in Jammu and Kashmir, while suggesting several measures to safeguard environmentally sensitive water bodies, including Dal Lake and Wular Lake.
In a note submitted before the NGT’s Principal Bench in connection with Original Application No. 606 of 2018, the Amicus Curiae reviewed the compliance affidavit filed by the Union Territory and observed that J&K generates around 1,557 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day. Of this, nearly 1,027 tonnes are processed, leaving a treatment shortfall of about 530 tonnes per day. The report also highlighted that around 26 tonnes of waste remain uncollected daily.
According to the note, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), nearly 352 tonnes of waste are currently being dumped in landfills. It added that a proposal to use Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) in cement plants is under consideration. A 300-tonne-per-day Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant has also been sanctioned and is expected to be completed by March 2027, while two Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste processing facilities are likely to be commissioned this year.
The Amicus Curiae also expressed concern over the large volume of legacy waste across the Union Territory. The note states that around 1.816 million tonnes of old waste are lying at 101 identified dump sites spread across 49 urban local bodies. It further observed that details regarding leachate treatment, land reclamation, site restoration and the future use of reclaimed land have not been adequately provided.
The note also flagged environmental risks from waste processing units located near water bodies. It pointed to the Bandipora facility near the Wular Ramsar Wetland, warning that leachate from dumpsites could pollute freshwater sources if not properly managed. It also cited flood-related damage to waste processing facilities at RS Pura and Arnia, indicating a lack of disaster-resilient planning.
On liquid waste management, the report said J&K generates 445.647 million litres of sewage daily, while the installed treatment capacity is 229 MLD, of which only 137.06 MLD is being utilised. It noted a treatment gap of 323.89 MLD and said information on river water quality, sewage-carrying drains, sludge management and other key parameters was not provided.
The Amicus Curiae recommended dedicated protection plans for Dal Lake and Wular Lake, a ban on dumping waste and sewage near water bodies, detailed leachate management reports, and avoiding the establishment of waste treatment facilities near rivers and wetlands. It also urged the UT administration to develop an in-house plan for RDF utilisation instead of transporting waste outside J&K.
The report further sought a detailed status report on industrial effluent management across the Union Territory, including waste generation, treatment facilities, compliance with pollution norms and disposal of untreated industrial waste. (KNO)
