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Himachal Pradesh Tackles Illegal Muck Dumping Crisis
18 Oct
Summary
- Governor forms subcommittee to address illegal muck disposal
- Subcommittee to study extent of problem and recommend solutions
- Muck dumping linked to landslides, floods, and ecological damage
In response to the growing ecological crisis caused by unscientific muck disposal in Himachal Pradesh, the state's governor has taken action by constituting a seven-member subcommittee to address the issue. The subcommittee, headed by the secretary of the Public Works Department, will be tasked with studying the extent of illegal muck dumping, identifying vulnerable areas, and recommending both preventive and remedial measures to mitigate the problem.
The decision comes amid repeated incidents of hill slope failures, blocked rivulets, and flash floods during the monsoon season, which experts have linked to the haphazard dumping of construction debris and excavation waste from various infrastructure projects. The subcommittee, which includes representatives from several government departments, will also suggest a framework for stricter monitoring and accountability mechanisms for contractors and executing agencies involved in these projects.
Experts have long warned that unchecked muck dumping into ravines, seasonal nullahs, and forested hill slopes has severely disturbed the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The panel will also look into several pending cases related to illegal muck dumping in various districts of the state. With the governor's intervention, Himachal Pradesh is now taking concrete steps to address this pressing environmental issue and protect its delicate natural landscape.
