Uttarkashi residents seek action over emission by waste incinerator in Gangotri National Park
Residents of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand have written to the Union government expressing concern over a new waste incinerator in the Gangotri National Park and within the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. The incinerator, installed a few months ago by the district administration, is burning mixed solid waste disposed in the hills, causing emissions in the region, they said.
In the letter sent by the Himalayi Nagarik Drishti Manch to the secretary of Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and National Mission for Clean Ganga on Monday, the residents said that the plant has come up near the Gangotri glacier and within the Gangotri National Park where all such polluting industries are prohibited
'The laws are being openly violated by the administration itself. The garbage is being collected and burnt in the incinerator and its toxic ash is being dumped into the valley towards Ganga. In this way, Ganga water is being made toxic with deadly elements (heavy metals etc.) from the source itself,' the letter said. 'We hope that you will take immediate cognizance to shut down this unit and will ensure strict action against those who are damaging the environment of Ganga and the Himalayas.'
Ankur Kansal, an environmental engineer at the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, said that the project has yet to receive permission from the state board.
'We have checked our database and records. This project has not been granted permission yet. They do not have our No Objection Certificate (NOC),' he said. 'As far as I understand, they have applied for a permit but certain queries have been raised about land use category etc, which are yet to be addressed by the project proponent
The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, states that construction of landfill in hilly areas shall be avoided. A transfer station at a suitable enclosed location shall be set up to collect residual waste from the processing facility and inert waste. Suitable land shall be identified in the plain areas, down the hill, within 25 kilometers for setting up sanitary landfill. The residual waste from the transfer station shall be disposed of at this sanitary landfill.
Activist and the head of Uttarkashi Nagar Palika American Puri said that the district administration has ignored the concerns raised by the residents. 'We are extremely unhappy with this move. How can you install a waste incinerator inside a forest and that too in an eco-sensitive zone high up in the Himalayas,' he said. 'Gangotri is not any other place. It is a very sensitive area because of biodiversity and forests here.'
HT had reported on April 8 that the CPCB directed state pollution control boards to adopt a revised classification of industries with a new category, blue. The new category covers 'essential environmental services' required for management of environmental concerns due to domestic/household activities which otherwise will have large littering potential, it said.
Waste to energy plants, certain compressed biogas plants, integrated sanitary landfills, biomining of legacy waste, among others fall under the new blue category, as per documents seen by HT.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Juneteenth 2025: History, significance and what's open and closed on federal holiday
Some holidays are about fireworks, others are about flags. Juneteenth? It commemorates the date when hundreds of thousands of enslaved African Americans in Texas were informed that they were free, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery, was signed. Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19. This year, it falls on Thursday. It is a day soaked in memory, resistance, and celebration. For many, the day is all about reclaiming a history that was too often buried or ignored. Here's a look at why Juneteenth matters, how it's observed, and what you should know before the day arrives. Often referred to as America's 'second Independence Day,' Juneteenth marks the day enslaved Black people in Texas finally learned they were free, more than two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. However, it wasn't until June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and made it official. 'The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free,' Granger declared. 'This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor,' he said, as reported by The Tennessean. The announcement, which came at the tail end of the Civil War, sparked celebrations that would ripple out of Texas and across the American South in the years that followed. As families moved and communities grew, so did the tradition. Back in the late 1800s, Juneteenth was marked with public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, church services, and community dances. But celebrating wasn't always easy. Due to segregation laws, Black families were often forced to gather outside city limits. So, communities took action-pooling money to buy land just for Juneteenth festivities. These spaces were often called Emancipation Parks, and many of them are still around. Today, the spirit of those early celebrations lives on. Across the country, you will find everything from barbecues and parades to educational panels and music festivals. Prayer services, family reunions, and storytelling sessions are part of honoring the day that freedom truly began for all Americans. Since being officially recognised in 2021, after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, Juneteenth has joined the list of federal holidays, which means banks and other government facilities will be closed. Here's a look at what's open and closed- 1. When is Juneteenth in 2025?Juneteenth is on Thursday, June 19, 2025. 2. Why is Juneteenth called the 'second Independence Day'?Because it commemorates the actual end of slavery in the US, when enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. 3. Is Juneteenth a paid federal holiday?Yes. It became a federal holiday in 2021, giving government employees a paid day off.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Flouting of fire norms rampant across Delhi
NEW DELHI: Whether it's residential apartments, exam coaching centres or hospitals, fire safety compliance remains lax across Delhi. Fire officials have repeatedly stressed that non-compliance with safety norms not only increases fire risks but also hinders rescue operations. High-rise residential buildings present a recurring pattern. At the time of application for the mandatory dire no-objection certificate (NOC), such buildings maintain proper fire-fighting systems and comply with safety regulations. However, over time, the precautions are ignored. "During the second or third inspections, we often uncover numerous shortcomings in high-rise buildings," one fire officer revealed. "The building managers also neglect to renew the NOCs, which can be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire." Another common hazard in residential structures is outdated electrical wiring. As residents use more appliances and devices, the load on old wiring increases dramatically but there often are no commensurate upgrades. This has become a significant contributor to short circuits and blazes. "In every residential fire, we encounter this common fault. We repeatedly urge residents to upgrade their wiring, all in vain," the officer said. Till April 6, Delhi reported around 1,045 residential fire cases. Among the causes are construction practices. Use of flammable materials, such as plywood and MDF for false ceilings, allow fires to spread quickly from one floor to another. Renewal of fire NOCs ensures that safety systems such as fire alarms, extinguishers, hydrants and sprinklers remain functional. So failure to acquire the certification leaves people vulnerable and unprepared during emergencies, the officer pointed out. In medical institutions, the risks are compounded by narrow staircases and non-compliant building designs. "Many nursing homes have been set up in structures not meant for medical use, like old residential buildings," said an officer. "These spaces lack usable fire exits, so during patient evacuations — especially of critical patients — rescue teams face severe difficulties." In two years till May, Delhi suffered 78 fires in hospitals and nursing homes. Educational institutions are also plagued by fire risks. Electricity meters are often installed haphazardly and near escape routes, firefighting equipment is often missing or non-functional, buildings are overcrowded and regular electrical audits are rarely conducted. These conditions create situations ripe for disaster. Between Jan 2023 and May this year, Delhi recorded 130 fire-related incidents in schools and coaching centres. According to firemen, the incorporation of fire safety features during construction is crucial for preventing tragedies. Also, holding mock drills periodically can prove beneficial because it exposes gaps in the system. One small but important step would be to locate the electricity meters in a safe place. "Electric meters should be installed away from staircases and fire escape routes to prevent smoke creation by short circuits," the officer said. "This will also aid safe evacuation during incidents."
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Flouting of fire norms rampant across city
New Delhi: Whether it's residential apartments, exam coaching centres or hospitals, fire safety compliance remains lax across Delhi. Fire officials have repeatedly stressed that non-compliance with safety norms not only increases fire risks but also hinders rescue operations. High-rise residential buildings present a recurring pattern. At the time of application for the mandatory dire no-objection certificate (NOC), such buildings maintain proper fire-fighting systems and comply with safety regulations. However, over time, the precautions are ignored. "During the second or third inspections, we often uncover numerous shortcomings in high-rise buildings," one fire officer revealed. "The building managers also neglect to renew the NOCs, which can be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire." Another common hazard in residential structures is outdated electrical wiring. As residents use more appliances and devices, the load on old wiring increases dramatically but there often are no commensurate upgrades. This has become a significant contributor to short circuits and blazes. "In every residential fire, we encounter this common fault. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트, 지금 시작하세요 [자세히 보기] 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo We repeatedly urge residents to upgrade their wiring, all in vain," the officer said. Till April 6, Delhi reported around 1,045 residential fire cases. Among the causes are construction practices. Use of flammable materials, such as plywood and MDF for false ceilings, allow fires to spread quickly from one floor to another. Renewal of fire NOCs ensures that safety systems such as fire alarms, extinguishers, hydrants and sprinklers remain functional. So failure to acquire the certification leaves people vulnerable and unprepared during emergencies, the officer pointed out. In medical institutions, the risks are compounded by narrow staircases and non-compliant building designs. "Many nursing homes have been set up in structures not meant for medical use, like old residential buildings," said an officer. "These spaces lack usable fire exits, so during patient evacuations — especially of critical patients — rescue teams face severe difficulties." In two years till May, Delhi suffered 78 fires in hospitals and nursing homes. Educational institutions are also plagued by fire risks. Electricity meters are often installed haphazardly and near escape routes, firefighting equipment is often missing or non-functional, buildings are overcrowded and regular electrical audits are rarely conducted. These conditions create situations ripe for disaster. Between Jan 2023 and May this year, Delhi recorded 130 fire-related incidents in schools and coaching centres. According to firemen, the incorporation of fire safety features during construction is crucial for preventing tragedies. Also, holding mock drills periodically can prove beneficial because it exposes gaps in the system. One small but important step would be to locate the electricity meters in a safe place. "Electric meters should be installed away from staircases and fire escape routes to prevent smoke creation by short circuits," the officer said. "This will also aid safe evacuation during incidents."
