NGT Slams India's Waste Crisis: Mindset Shift Needed

India's persistent waste management issues have been identified as a "nagging problem" by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The tribunal stressed that achieving meaningful results in solid waste and sewage management hinges on a fundamental shift in administrative mindset and a resolute "mission-mode" approach. Despite existing legal frameworks, the nation's waste management regime remains in crisis, detrimentally affecting the environment and public health.

The NGT recommended several strategies, including brainstorming with experts and stakeholders to develop replicable models for waste management. It also suggested initiating special campaigns involving community and media engagement to enhance environmental protection and public health. These initiatives aim to boost the capacity of regulators and processors, potentially reducing the administrative burden.

A centralized, single-window mechanism at the state level, headed by an additional chief secretary, is proposed for planning, capacity building, and monitoring waste management. This body would oversee local authorities and ensure continuous training programs for project implementers. Best practices and simplified procedures for service provider selection are also key recommendations.

The NGT's observations stemmed from a review application by the Ajmer Municipal Corporation concerning persistent non-compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and sewage treatment norms in Rajasthan. The tribunal reiterated that remedial actions cannot be indefinitely deferred with loose timelines and without accountability, emphasizing the state's absolute liability for a comprehensive, time-bound plan with secured resources to control pollution.