Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding solid waste dumping site, Darjeeling municipality, West Bengal, 18/03/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Subhas Datta Vs State of West Bengal & Others dated 18/03/2024.
The allegation of the applicant is that there is a solid waste dumping site at Amor Jyoti Gram, Ward No.17 of Darjeeling municipality where the entire garbage of Darjeeling city/town is brought and dumped down the hill slope which finally finds it way to the underground water system leading to environmental degradation. The allegation further is that the town of Darjeeling is inhabited by about two lakhs people where approximately 1500 MT of solid waste per day is generated. It is stated that on January 28, 2024 a fire broke out in the night at the garbage dumping site in Amor Jyoti Gram and fire brigade team had to be rushed to fight the fire which continued burning for at least 15 days. On February 17, 2024 when the applicant visited the dumping site in question, smoke was still coming out of the garbage dump.
The court opined that the matter required consideration and directed notice to be issued to the government of West Bengal; West Bengal Pollution Control Board; Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department and Darjeeling Municipality. All the respondents have been directed to file their reply within four weeks.
In addition, the tribunal directed the constitution of a fact finding committee to elicit the veracity of the allegations made in the application comprising of the following members: (i) Senior Scientist, West Bengal Pollution Control Board, (ii) Senior Officer, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, and (iii) District Magistrate and Collector, Darjeeling.
The Committee shall visit the site in question and submit its Report on affidavit within four weeks with regard to the allegations made. The Report of the Committee on affidavit shall be filed by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board within four weeks.