A meeting was held at Raj Bhavan here under the Chairmanship of P.K Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, (SASB) for finalizing the Action Plan for collection and disposal of waste generated during the ensuing Shri Amarnathji Yatra which is scheduled to commence on 2ndJuly 2015.The meeting held detailed discussions in regard to garbage collection and its disposal, maintenance of Toilets and Baths, operation and maintenance of Sewage Treatment Plants at Baltal and Nunwan Base Camp and disposal of plastic waste generated during the Yatra period. It was decided that all solid waste generated during Yatra shall be managed by Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) and the Shrine Board in the respective areas of their responsibility and collection in the identified garbage collection centres in Sonamarg and Pahalgam where required infrastructure as per Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Rules would be put in place by Pahalgam Development Authority and Sonamarg Development Authority in accordance with the advice of the State Pollution Control Board.
The meeting was informed that for the scientific treatment of waste water / sewage, two Sewage Treatment plants (STPs), based on decentralized waste water treatment technology, have been commissioned at the Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps by SASB. The treatment units of these STPs include collection tanks, Anaerobic baffled reactors, reed beds etc. During the course of Yatra these STPs are regularly monitored and samples are collected from these STPs to check the efficiency of the STPs.Tripathi also directed that adequate signages should be placed at the two Base Camps as well as along the Yatra routes advising Yatris to respect the environment and do nothing to pollute it. The elaborate ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ issued by the SASB already highlight that all waste materials must be placed in the nearest dustbin, and also that the use of plastics is banned in the State.
CEO urged Deputy Commissioners of Ganderbal and Anantnag districts, CEOs of PDA and SDA and General Manager (Works), SASB, to keep a close watch to ensure segregation of waste collected into biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and transport non- biodegradable waste to the collection centre earmarked for the purpose and ensure its proper disposal.CEO emphasized on all the agencies responsible for sanitation of Yatra track to closely monitor the day to day sanitation work at the Yatra camps and enroute and to maintain close co-ordination to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the Yatra area and the Base Camps. He also urged the Deputy Commissioners to launch special cleanliness drives during the Yatra period in Pahalgam and Sonamarg so that civic amenities are ensured.The Meeting was attended by Mr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer, SASB, Mr. B.A Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag; Mr. Shaukat Ayaz, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal; Mr. Shabir A. Bhat , CEO, Sonamarg Development Authority; Mr. Reyaz Wani, CEO, Pahalgam Development Authority, Mr. Javed Iqbal Punjoo, Member Secretary, J&K State Pollution Control Board; and Mr. R.K Pandita, General Manager works, SASB.