Halt any construction activity inside Nehru Park: NGT to Kullu administration

Kullu: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Kullu administration to immediately halt construction activities and any change in land use for a proposed Material Recovery Facility (MRF) inside a public park in Kullu town of Himachal Pradesh.In an order, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi also directed the Kullu superintendent of police (SP) to ensure that no construction activity or solid waste dumping occurred in the park located in Sarvari.Observing that "parks and green belts in urban areas act as the lungs of cities and cannot be encroached upon or subjected to construction activity", the NGT ordered the formation of a joint committee, comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) and the Kullu Deputy Commissioner, to look into the issue.The joint committee members have been directed to inspect the site, verify facts, recommend remedial measures and submit a report within a month.The NGT order follows a letter petition filed by Sanjay Kapoor, a resident of Kullu town.The applicant stated in his petition that the Nehru Park, spread over five bighas in Ward No. 3 of Kullu town, was originally developed as a public recreational space with pathways, ornamental trees, flower beds, fountains and children's swings. He also highlighted that public funds were used to develop this park.Ironically, the municipal council, Kullu, which was responsible for maintaining the park, gradually converted portions of the public space into a dumping ground by storing sand, grit and boulders there and parking unused mobile toilets on the premises, stated the petitioner.According to Kapoor, the municipal council issued a tender on April 13 this year for the construction of a shed within the park for establishing a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), and construction began on April 28.The petitioner further stated that the proposed facility violated provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, as the site was situated less than 30 metres from the bank of the Sarvari rivulet, a tributary of the Beas river, while Bhuntar airport is located within 10 km.The rules mandate that such facilities should be at least 100 metres away from rivers and 20 km away from airports or airbases, Kapoor highlighted.The applicant also claimed that in a 2019 meeting, the then Kullu deputy commissioner directed the authorities to maintain the status quo and preserve the park. However, its condition continued to deteriorate.While seeking disciplinary action against officials responsible for allowing waste dumping in the park, the applicant also urged the NGT to order the Kullu administration to immediately restore Nehru Park to its original condition, including replacing uprooted trees and vegetation.At present, a temporary MRF site is located near the Inter-State Bus Terminal in Sarvari and at the boundary of the Nehru Park amid a residential area. Citing persistent foul smell and unhygienic conditions, the residents have demanded the relocation of the site.The case will now be heard on July 2.MSID:: 131064965 413 |