Pune Grapples with Rising Garbage Burning, NGT Steps In for Air Quality CheckÂ
Pune Grapples with Rising Garbage Burning, NGT Steps In for Air Quality Check
Pune has found itself in the environmental spotlight as the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) principal bench, led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, expresses distress over the surge in garbage burning, impacting the city’s air quality. The NGT has taken suo-moto cognizance of the issue, transferring the case to NGT (Western Zone) in Pune for a thorough investigation.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is tasked with filing an affidavit detailing air pollution levels and the measures undertaken to combat them. The NGT’s concern stems from reports highlighting numerous incidents of garbage burning in Pune, contributing significantly to deteriorating air quality.
Rahul Garg, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) lawyer, presented a comprehensive report to the NGT, emphasizing the city’s challenges arising from rapid urbanization, population growth, and industrial expansion. Garg stated, “The PMC acknowledges the gravity of air pollution and has implemented various initiatives to address it.” He highlighted ”The PMC’s Solid Waste Management department’s strategies to control garbage burning and curb activities contributing to air pollution.”
Garg clarified that while garbage burning incidents exist, they are isolated rather than widespread. The PMC collaborates with the waste pickers’ cooperative swach for efficient door-to-door waste collection. With approximately 3,800 waste pickers engaged in daily collection, Pune generates around 2,200 tons of waste per day. To tackle construction waste, the civic administration operates a 250-ton capacity Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste processing plant.
Furthermore, NGT (Western Zone) members, Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert Vijay Kulkarni took note of newspaper reports highlighting poor air quality near garbage burning sites. They directed the MPCB to submit a detailed response on measures taken to address air pollution before the next hearing on March 15. The issue continues to draw attention, with a focus on collaborative efforts to mitigate the impact on residents and the environment.
