Kullu : In violation of the 19 June, 2017 National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive, garbage continues to be dumped at Pridi village of Kullu valley that has forced residents to agitate against the district administration. The garbage dump is an eyesore and an health hazard on the Kullu-Manali national highway, which is barely 5 Kms from the district headquarter.
The NGT June 2017 order states, “The Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, Executive Officer of the Municipal Committees of Kullu-Manali and Bhuntar shall ensure that no garbage is dumped at Pirdi, adjoining Johar Village, particularly on the river bank. It is submitted that within two weeks from today a site will be identified by the Deputy Commissioner where municipal solid waste would be dumped for its proper management and handling….”
Despite the clear cut order to shift the dump elsewhere but so far no such has been taken which has left the people agitated. On 6th September 2018 the resident of the area even submitted a memo about it to district administration. With no action taken, on Saturday angry residents of Balh panchayat forcibly stopped vehicles bringing garbage to the site by blocking the road.
Joginder Singh, a resident of Balh said, ”Garbage dumping sight at Piradi village is proving to a health risk for all nearby areas. It is not only polluting the entire environment and the emanating foul smell is driving away tourists who want to visit the nature park in the area. Besides, there are also many educational institutions in the vicinity and living in such a polluted environment is posing a serious threat to health of all students who come here.”
Tej Singh Thakur, executive officer of Kullu municipal council when contacted by Hill Post said, “the issue is being discussed with the residents of Piradi and Balh panchayat and we hope to resolve the problem.”
A theater artist, a script writer and a TV anchor, news is something that grips Renuka. She lives in Kullu.
