New waste management policy for J&K resorts

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir has urged the state tourism development board to issue instructions to various tourism development authorities for implementing solid waste management system across the state.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice Tashi Rabstan directed the chief secretary to issue the instructions in this regard. The chief executive officer of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) has informed the court that solid waste management plan will be operational in Pahalgam from April 25.

Photo Courtesy: J&K Tourism

The court has directed Gulmarg Development Authority, Sonamarg Development Authority, Yusmarg Development Authority, Doodpathri Development Authority and Kokernag Development Authority to follow the PDA’s move in tackling waste management.

A representative of Hotel Grand Mumtaz, who was present in the court, undertook to donate 7500 coniferous and other evergreen saplings to the PDA. The court sought status report in this regard by May 21. Earlier, the court had also directed PDA and J&K State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to consult with each other and prepare an action plan on solid waste management and sewage treatment with regard to Pahalgam in accordance with the provisions of law.

The action plan should be submitted in keeping with the Environment Protection Act 1986 and Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 within three weeks jointly by the PDA and SPCB, said the court. The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation by Pahalgam Peoples Welfare Forum seeking conservation of the famed health resort.