LEH: A meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Advisor to the Lt Governor of Ladakh Umang Narula to review the implementation of Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules in the Union Territory of Ladakh, that make all the waste generators responsible for segregating their waste into wet, dry, and domestic hazardous waste.
In the meeting, the Advisor was informed that an SWM plant is already functional in Leh town and a similar plant is being set up in Kargil town. 3 MLD (3 million litres per day) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is also functional in Leh town along with a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) whereas an FSTP is ready in Kargil town and a Detailed Project Report for STP in Kargil town is being prepared.
Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, gave the Advisor a detailed presentation on the implementation status of SWM Rules and directions of National Green Tribunal orders in the Union Territory. Further, he informed the Advisor that the drafting of State policy on Solid Waste Management, identification, and allocation of suitable land for setting up processing and disposal facilities for solid wastes needs to be completed immediately.
Narula directed the Director of Health Ladakh to come up with a comprehensive draft for the Bio-Medical waste policy for the Union territory within 15 days. He said a system of door-to-door collection of household waste should be put in place in inaccessible areas such as narrow alleys and lanes in both Leh and Kargil towns.
The Advisor said the Secretary of Rural Development Department in consultation with Deputy Commissioners Leh and Kargil should identify three villages in both the districts that would be made 100 percent compliant with scientific all waste management rules.
Earlier, the Consultant agency, PWC also gave a presentation on the solid waste management policy and strategy for UT Ladakh.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner/Secretary, HUDD; Deputy Commissioners, Leh/Kargil, Director HUDD, UT Ladakh; Director Health; Director Rural Development Department; Director Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Department; District Officer, Pollution Control Board; Officials from Law Department and Members from Consultant Agency, PWC.
