Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on May 4 chaired a high-level meeting to review compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 6174 of 2023 concerning the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The meeting was convened in light of the Supreme Court’s recent order dated April 29, 2026, with the next hearing scheduled shortly. The Chief Secretary reviewed the action taken so far, the current status of compliance, and the progress made in implementing the Court’s para-wise directions across the Union Territory.

Detailed deliberations were held on key aspects of solid waste management, including source segregation, management of special and sanitary waste, and the introduction of a third waste stream for sanitary disposal with designated collection points. The status of bulk waste generators, including institutions such as the Army and ITBP, was also reviewed, with emphasis on ensuring proper segregation and disposal practices at the source.

The meeting also examined location-specific waste management strategies, disposal of legacy waste with time-bound action plans, and the implementation of a “binary approach” to ensure efficient segregation. Special focus was given to addressing legacy waste in Kargil and strengthening household-level segregation. The Chief Secretary directed that fines be imposed in cases of non-compliance to ensure adherence to prescribed norms.

Emphasizing the importance of awareness and community participation, Kundra reviewed awareness programmes conducted across Ladakh, including block-level initiatives and campaigns in schools and colleges through activities such as painting and drawing competitions. He also assessed the status of rural waste management systems and the handling of bulk waste in non-urban areas.

Highlighting the need for innovative approaches, Kundra emphasized private sector participation and suggested engaging ex-servicemen in managing garbage-vulnerable points. He also called for reforms in municipal by-laws and strict enforcement mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability.

Further, the Chief Secretary directed the IT Department to develop a dedicated digital platform for uploading photographic evidence of waste management activities to ensure transparency and real-time monitoring. He also called for the issuance of necessary notifications and concise documentation of compliance measures for submission before the Supreme Court.

The meeting was attended by Additional PCCF S. Rajesh (IFS); Secretary, Housing & Urban Development, Surbir Singh; Secretary, School Education, Bhanu Prabha; Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, Moses Kunzang; Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Stanzin Rabgyas; District Officer, Ladakh Pollution Control Committee, Rukhsana Parveen; and other officials from concerned departments.