Asks Nagaland Pollution Control Board to take action
DIMAPUR, APRIL 6 (MExN): Two colonies in the Burma Camp area of Dimapur have lodged complaints with the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) against the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) on burning of waste in a dumping site at Burma Camp area.
The Sunrise Colony Council (SCC), in its complaint, informed that the colony has already filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Gauhati High Court (Kohima Bench) against the State of Nagaland and others for shifting of the present DMC dumping site “which is adversely affecting the health of the residents.” The PIL is currently under adjudication.
The SCC pointed out that the NPCB had issued a notification on December 5, 2017 calling upon all parties concerned not to openly burn waste/plastic waste. However, it informed that the Dimapur Municipal Council “defying such notice is continuously burning the waste comprising mostly of plastic waste in its dumping site.”
“This is hazardous to health and the residents are falling prey to its ill effects,” it stated. The SCC therefore called upon the NPCB to immediately impose penalty against the DMC for “violating the directions given by the National Green Tribunal in its judgment.” It further asked the NPCB to direct the DMC to immediately stop burning of the waste and also take remedial measures for the harm caused.
Meanwhile, the United North Block Naga Colony Council also wrote a complaint, informing the NPCB that their colony is located in the vicinity of the dumping site maintained by the DMC, “wherein the entire waste of Dimapur Town in all forms is being dumped every day.”
Citing the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 which prohibits open burning of waste/plastic waste, the council reminded that the pollution control board had cautioned imposition of penalty for violators of these rules, including the project proponent, concessioner, ULB, any person or body responsible for such burning.
The penalty includes an environmental compensation of Rs.5,000 in case of simple burning and Rs.25,000 in case of bulk waste burning. This compensation is to be recovered as arrears of land revenue by the competent authority in accordance with law.
The United North Block Naga Colony Council reiterated that the National Green Tribunal had directed the state governments/public authorities to create public awareness about the facilities available for processing of the waste; and the obligation of the public as well as authorities for proper waste management.
However, it said that for over the last three weeks, the DMC has been “continuously burning the waste collected which is adversely affecting our health and also polluting the environment.” The council asked the NPCB to impose penalty on the DMC as directed in the NGT order; to stop the council from burning waste containing plastic; and to take remedial measures for the pollution created by it.
