Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding Patipukur fish market waste management, Kolkata, West Bengal, 13/04/2023
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Ankur Sharma Vs The State of West Bengal & Others dated 13/04/2023.
The matter related to dumping of waste from Patipukur fish market, Kolkata into nearby municipal vets and adjoining public roads. The waste included huge volumes of rotten fish, fish scales and heaps of damaged thermocol/polystyrene boxes.
The NGT directed that organic waste composters should be set up immediately in the vicinity of the market to treat bio-degradable waste. Steps should be taken for recycling non-biodegradable waste. As use of thermocol boxes is completely prohibited, the West Bengal government was directed by the NGT to ensure that there is no use or supply of thermocol boxes in the area for transporting fish. The court directed that fish be transported in cane baskets covered with banana leaves in the Patipukur fish market.
In addition, the authorities have been directed to ensure that proper drains are constructed with adequate slope to ensure that there is no concentration and clogging of fish wastes.