Construction waste being dumped in McLeodganj hills

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, February 1

Debris generated from construction sites in Dharamsala is being dumped in the hills turning the eco-sensitive zone into a landfill site.

Bags filled with debris are carried in trucks on the 2-km stretch between McLeodganj and Bahsunag and are dumped in the hills.

Those discarding muck and debris in the area say they have been directed by contractors to dump the material here.

Pradeep Sony, an environmentalist, says the construction waste settles down permanently in the hills and affects the ecosystem of the area. The green trees can die and it can also affect the fresh growth of plants. Besides, it also scars the beauty of the area, he said.

As per rules, it is the duty of the local municipal council and the district administration to check dumping of solid waste in the area. A solid waste dumping site has also been set up in Dharamsala following the Supreme Court directions. As per the directions, the solid waste generated out of the building should be used as filler in low-lying areas where construction is to take place.

Sources say there is lack of management to check the menace. Those carrying out construction work should be forced to dump debris at designated places, they said.

Inquiries revealed that not even a single case has been registered against persons dumping debris in the hills to date.

Executive Officer of the Dharamsala Municipal Council Lalit Kumar said he was on a leave for the past 12 days. “I have not come across any complaint of construction waste being dumped in the hills. Action will be taken if we receive a complaint,” he said.