UT level Apex Committee meeting to oversee the implementation of the National Green Tribunal’s order regarding Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other environmental concerns in the Union Territory was chaired by Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula on August 22 at Civil Secretariat, Leh.

Regional Director, Ladakh Pollution Control Committee, Aditya Madanpotra gave a comprehensive presentation on the implementation of NGT orders on Plastic Waste Management; Solid Waste Management; Bio-Medical Waste Management, and other environmental concerns. He apprised the meeting that Ladakh has made considerable progress regarding the implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. He shared that the State level and District level taskforces were already constituted last year and a Comprehensive Action Plan has been submitted to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), he added. 

Further, he informed that awareness generation campaigns, cleanliness drives, and workshops on the elimination of Single-Use Plastic were actively conducted in Ladakh. 

It was informed that for the enforcement of the ban on Single-Use Plastic items, UT Ladakh has submitted all the compliance reports as per the Action Points provided by CPCB. 12 single-use plastic items have been banned in Ladakh w.e.f July 01, 2022, which includes plastic sticks such as earbuds, balloons, candy, ice cream, and straws; Cutlery items such as plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, and trays; Packaging/wrapping films like sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, and other items: such as PVC banners <100um, and polystyrene for decoration. 

To prevent the entry of banned Single-Use Plastic items, it was informed in the meeting that the Ladakh Police department has been requested to check vehicles entering the Union Territory from Mina-Marg and Sarchu. Further, it was shared that the Deputy Commissioners Leh and Kargil districts have been directed to identify major tourist hot spots by declaring them as “No Plastic Littering Zone”. 

Additionally, the Regional Director, LPCC informed that an inspection of commercial sites as designated by CPCB like Airports, Bus-stand, and E-commerce warehouse stands were conducted and fines were imposed.

The Director of Health Department, Dr. Motup Dorje apprised the meeting that tenders have been floated for setting up of four Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facilities in Leh at Spituk-Pharka, Hundar, Nubra, Zanskar, and Kurbathang, Kargil. 

To combat, air pollution, it was informed that the CPCB has sanctioned two continuous Air Quality Monitoring Stations, one each for Leh and Kargil districts. Concerning compliance status of hazardous and other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules 2016, it was informed that the LPCC has convened meetings with proprietors of major Automobile Workshops regarding the scientific disposal of used oil (hazardous waste). 

Executive Officer, MC Leh, Stanzin Rabgais, informed the meeting that door-to-door collection of waste in Leh town is 100 percent and that of Kargil town, is 80 percent. 

Taking stock of the progress of work, Advisor Narula directed the concerned to ensure the completion of work within the stipulated time frame. Detailed discussions also took place on the disposal of legacy waste so that valuable land can be reclaimed and put to other use.

The meeting was also attended by all Administrative Secretaries; ADGP, Ladakh; Heads of Department, officials of Forest, Ecology and Environment Department; and officials of the Consultant agency for the project.