Advisor to the Lt. Governor, UT Ladakh, Umang Narula reviewed the implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the Union Territory of Ladakh on May 5.

The solid waste management rule is to make all the waste generators responsible for segregating their waste into wet, dry, and domestic hazardous waste. The rules also make the Municipalities/ Municipal Corporations responsible for encouraging the processing of biodegradable waste on the premises.

Advisor was informed that Solid Waste Management (SWM) plant is already functional in Leh town and a similar plant is being set up in Kargil town. 3 MLD (3 million litres per day) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is also functional in Leh town along with a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) whereas an FSTP is ready in Kargil town and a Detailed Project Report for STP in Kargil town is being prepared. Further, a slaughterhouse is under construction in Kargil, and work on Slaughterhouse Leh shall start soon. He was also informed that Bio-remediation and capping of the legacy waste site of Bombguard have also started. 

Similarly, Director, Rural Development Department also shared the status of implementing SWM rules in the rural areas. 

Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Ajeet Kumar Sahu gave the Advisor a detailed presentation on the implementation status of SWM Rules and directions of National Green Tribunal orders in the Union Territory. Further, he informed the Advisor that the drafting of State policy on Solid Waste Management, identification, and allocation of suitable land for setting up processing and disposal facilities for solid wastes needs to be completed immediately.

 A scheme for the registration of waste pickers and waste dealers will also be put in place, he added. 

Commissioner/ Secretary informed that a plan was being put in place where plastic waste generated will be used for the construction of road surfacing.

Advisor Narula, directed Director, Health to come up with a comprehensive draft for the Bio-Medical waste policy for the Union territory within 15 days. Taking note of reports of toilets constructed alongside the river Indus in a few areas, Advisor Narula said it was against the National Green Tribunal directions and directed the concerned department to take necessary action. Further, Advisor Narula said a system of door-to-door collection of household waste should be put in place in inaccessible areas such as narrow alleys and lanes in both Leh and Kargil towns. 

To encourage home composting where organic waste generated from households is treated through an organic process, Advisor asked the Director HUDD to hold training programmes on home composting for the local population. The compost produced through this process can be used as a soil enricher in gardens, etc. He said the bulk generators such as commercial establishments are asked to install a compost plant on their own premises for composting their wet waste as per the rules and directions.

Secretary of Rural Development Department in consultation with Deputy Commissioners Leh and Kargil should identify three villages in both the districts that would be made 100 percent compliant with scientific all waste management rules, Advisor added.

Earlier, the Consultant agency, PWC also gave a presentation on the solid waste management policy and strategy for UT Ladakh.