The Meghalaya High Court today said that there should be a procedure for obtaining prior permission for dumping of building debris generated from buildings in Shillong. It also said that Shillong Municipal Board should identify sites where such debris could be dumped
The division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on measures for efficient management of cleanliness and hygienic conditions in Shillong city.
‘One of the key areas is the disposal of building debris. Because of the topography, it is fashionable to tear down any building or any part thereof and dump the debris in such a manner that a substantial part of it rolls down the hills. This cannot be allowed to continue. Obviously, where building debris is to be generated, there must be a procedure for obtaining prior permission. When such permission is granted, the manner in which the debris would be disposed of, the period within which such disposal would be completed and the separation of the concrete material from other material should also be indicated and there should be adequate checks to ensure due compliance,” the High Court said.
The court also said that there should be places which are earmarked and managed by the Shillong Municipal Board and other authorities responsible for granting permission for construction or renovation or the like where the debris can be deposited with or without any fee.
The High Court also said that there is considerable stubble-burning in the farms along the hills. It said that farmers should be made aware upon studies being conducted as to whether stubble-burning enriches the land or makes it more fertile for future crops to be planted.
“There is also the menace of the fallen leaves being gathered and burnt. Such material may be used as a part of organic compost to be used as manure instead of being burnt and the local residents being subjected to the toxic fumes as a result thereof,” the court said.
During today’s hearing, the State government filed its report before the High Court indicating the measures that the government has taken to ensure cleanliness in and around Shillong and, generally, all over the hills in the State. The Shillong Cantonment Board also filed its own report.
“What appears from the State’s report is that after several rounds of beverages some pious wishes were put down on paper, without any of the measures being actually implemented on the ground,” the High Court said.
“Several areas need to be addressed by the administration, particularly in the light of the fragile ecology of the State and the rich environment to the extent that it is still unspoiled. There appears to be inertia in planning that may result in the natural beauty that the State is blessed with to be lost for the sheer lack of a road-map,” the court observed.
The High Court also sought another report from the State government to indicate the effective steps taken along with expert opinion being obtained in the matter. The next hearing on the matter will be held on April 27.
