Home / Environment / Orissa High Court Intervenes in Bhubaneswar's Waste Dumping Crisis
Orissa High Court Intervenes in Bhubaneswar's Waste Dumping Crisis
21 Jul
Summary
- Illegal waste dumping site operating for 18 years without clearances
- Adverse effects on air, water, and health of nearby residents
- Authorities accused of misrepresenting the site as temporary
In a recent development, the Orissa High Court has intervened in the ongoing issue of unregulated municipal waste dumping in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The court has issued notices to the state government, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), the Khurda district collector, and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Bhubaneswar Unnayana Parishad, a local civil society organization.
The PIL alleges that a dumping site near the southern boundary of Sainik School has been operating for the past 18 years without the necessary environmental clearances or safe waste management practices. The organization claims that the site lacks approval from the OSPCB, raising serious environmental concerns. During a hearing on Monday, the court set August 4 as the deadline for responses from the involved parties, with the next hearing scheduled for the same date. The Central Pollution Control Board and Sainik School authorities have also been drawn into the case.
The Bhubaneswar Unnayana Parishad has highlighted the adverse effects of the dumping practice, citing air and water pollution and the associated health risks to nearby residents. Despite ongoing protests and demands for action, authorities allegedly turned a blind eye to the issue. The petition further accuses the government of misrepresenting the illegal dumping site as a temporary waste management center, in violation of various regulations.
