Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding shifting of the solid waste mangement plant near Deepor Beel, Guwahati, Assam, 19/08/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Rohit Chowdhury Vs Union of India & Others dated 19/08/2019. The issues discussed were shifting of the solid waste mangement plant near Deepor Beel and encroachment of the wetland, Guwahati, Assam.
Nalin Kohli, Additional Advocate General for the State of Assam has informed the Tribunal that meetings and visits were conducted to identify the place for setting up the solid waste management plant. The Tribunal was of the view that while deciding on the alternative site, care should be taken to develop the site "as an integrated solid waste management plant as prescribed under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in order to take care of future space requirements."
Further, the state should plan a decentralised processing plant to be established in suitable locations of the city as a support system for the proposed integrated solid waste management plant. The state of Assam has been directed to submit an affidavit on the steps taken to free the water body from all the hydrophytes and atleast get the core area restored to its pristine condition at the first instance. State shall also declare the eco-sensitive zone for the Deepor Beel including the adjacent sanctuary.
The other issued discussed was change in land utilization "from railway gate number 273 to the starting point of northern alignment of railway track and Azra railway crossing at Segunbari, Mikirpara and Matia elephant corridors." Steps should be taken to ensure that the elephant corridor is kept free for wildife for accessing the Deepor Beel and also to avoid man-animal conflict.