Rubble, debris scar McLeodganj

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 23

With several structures being raised in McLeodganj and Bhagsunag, construction material can be seen strewn in places of the popular tourists places. Contractors are not bothered about cleanliness and their workers are often spotted scaling hills to dispose of debris.

A survey in the area revealed that those carrying out constructions fill the waste in cement bags. The bags are then loaded on to trucks and along the hills replete with deodar trees.

Experts are of the view that the construction waste has a tendency to settle down permanently. “If it settles down permanently, the fresh undergrowth in the forest area cannot survive. It will also scar the natural beauty of the area and damage the ecology of the area,” the said.

As per rules, it is the duty of the local municipal council and district administration to stop the dumping of solid waste in the area. A solid waste dumping site has been established in Dharamsala as per the Supreme Court directions. The construction waste should be used to fill low-lying areas.

For this, the authorities concerned have to keep a check on the ongoing construction works. Those engaged in the works should be asked to dispose of debris on the earmarked places only.

The muck can then be used by government departments such as the PWD during the construction of roads or filling basements of buildings.

Inquiries from various departments revealed that despite a large quantity of muck being dumped along hills, no one has been booked for the offence. The authorities said they had not received any complaint in this regard. As the people file complaints only if the waste is dumped in their area, the authorities should take suo motu notice of the solid waste being dumped on government land to protect the forest area. It is learnt that in case of illegal constructions also, the Town and Country Planning authorities limit themselves to issuing notice to offenders to save their skin. No action is taken practically to stop the practice.