Palampur NGOs take pledge to save environment

Our Correspondent

Palampur, September 10

Four local NGOs on Sunday joined hands to protect the environment of the town.

At a meeting convened by NGO People’s Voice which was attended by members of INSAF, Parivartan, the Dhauladhar Sewa Samiti and a number of intellectuals, senior citizens and mediapersons, the NGOs expressed concern over large-scale environmental degradation, lack of basic amenities and the failure of state agencies to act despite adequate legal provisions in hand. They said in the absence of any initiative from the state government, Palampur was facing serious environment threats. The NGOs pledged to make residents aware of the importance cleanliness.

Addressing the gathering, Neelam Sood, head of People’’s Voice, said most parts of the town had turned into garbage dumps due to the alleged failure of the state government to extend the municipal limits or create a civic body.

She said the Aima Panchyat had set an example by setting up its own garbage treatment plant. She said the residents of satellite areas should not wait for the formation of a municipal corporation or the extension of MC limits, and should rather go ahead with their own mini garbage treatment plants under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

She said the government should install hoardings on the state border advising tourists not to bring polythene to the state.

Sanjiv Rana, pardhan of the Aima panchayat, said he was ready to provide technical knowledge about setting up garbage treatment plants in adjoining panchayats.

He said the cost of one treatment plant was Rs 30 lakh and the government and it could be installed in three months.