NGT miffed over waste in Srinagar, orders enquiry

Miffed over municipal waste and dead animals being thrown near water bodies in Srinagar, the National Green Tribunal on Tuesday slammed the Jammu and Kashmir government and warned of criminal prosecution against the state and its officials for violation of its orders.

The green panel also issued notice to show cause why environmental compensation should not be imposed on the state government and Srinagar Municipal Corporation for allowing trash to scatter.

“We had issued directions vide different orders passed in this application, to take due precaution and prepare site even as temporary site for dumping of waste. It is evident that no steps have been taken by corporation in that behalf at all. Even the government has failed to discharge its statutory and public law functions as we prima facie find at this stage.

“Before we pass any further punitive directions, we issue notice to the State as well as the Commissioner of the Srinagar Corporation to show cause why environmental compensation be not awarded against them; why their criminal prosecution be not directed in accordance with law; why they be not punished for violating the specific directions of the Tribunal by the previous orders,” a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said.