 filed to protect the zone, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi focused on the plastic waste scattered across the island, harming marine life.){kind=link}
The Gujarat High Court has taken stern measures to address plastic pollution in the Girnar Eco-Sensitive Zone and the island of Bet-Dwarka.
In a public interest litigation (PIL) filed to protect the zone, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi focused on the plastic waste scattered across the island, harming marine life.
The court directed the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) to inspect facilities handling plastic waste and ensure compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The inspection revealed that two facilities hired by the Junagadh Municipal Corporation were non-compliant, lacking necessary consent and authorization.
The court expressed concern over the slackness of GPCB and the Municipal Corporation in enforcing the rules. It directed the Municipal Commissioner to provide details on Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) and contracts with private facilities for plastic waste processing.
Additionally, the court emphasized the role of the State Monitoring Committee in effective implementation of the Plastic Waste Management Rules.
The committee must seek responses from local bodies, collate data, and coordinate with GPCB to ensure compliance.
The court directed the Principal Secretary of Municipalities Administration and the Secretary of Panchayati Raj Institutions to engage with local bodies, seek responses, and file compliance reports.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 25, 2024.