Lok Sabha Question No. 4195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Waste Management at Pilgrimage Sites
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4195

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2023

## Waste Management at Pilgrimage Sites

## 4195.   SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the National Green Tribunal have found serious failure in the waste  management  across  the  pilgrimage  tracks  of  Kedarnath,  Hemkund  Sahib, Yamunotri and Gomukh and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the major pilgrimage sites in the country do not have a proper waste  management  system  leading  to  wide  prevalence  of  solid  garbage  and  plastic waste etc. in these places;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the Government  intend  to  make  some  regulatory  interventions, issue necessary guidelines and protocols and take other measures  to ensure better cleanliness and environment friendly maintenance of the various pilgrimage sites in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a): In the order dated 8 th February 2023, Hon'ble National Green Tribunal has directed to take  effective  remedial  measures  in  the  matter  related  to  environmental  norms  along  the pilgrim  tracks  of  Kedarnath,  Hemkund  Sahib,  Yamunotri  and  Gomukh  pilgrimage  centres and  has  directed  setting  up  of  joint  committee  headed  by  Chief  Secretary,  Government  of Uttarakhand  to  take  stock  of  the  situation  and  prepare  a  road  map.  The  action  plan  so developed inter alia may include taking measures consistent with the carrying capacity of the area.  The  committee  may  also  review  and  plan  infrastructure  for  waste  management, compliance of environment norms including Water Act, Air Act and Environment (Protection)  Act,  1986  etc.  Waste  processing/management  facilities  for  bio-degradable  and non-biodegradable waste may be set up at appropriate locations. The execution of the action plan may be duly monitored.

(b) to (e): The local authorities and village panchayats are mandated to undertake solid waste  and  plastic  waste  management  as  per  Solid  Waste  Management  Rules  and  Plastic Waste Management Rules. The local authorities and village panchayats are to develop solid waste management plans as per State policy and strategy in the areas under their jurisdiction including  pilgrimage  sites,  if  any.  The  State  Pollution  Control  Board  /  Pollution  Control Committees  are  mandated  to  enforce  provisions  of  the  rules.  Under  the  Solid  Waste Management  and  Plastic  Waste  Management  Rules,  state  level  committees  need  monitor implementation of the rules. Additional central assistance is provided under Swachh Bharat Mission for solid waste management including plastic waste management in urban and rural areas,  as  per  scheme  guidelines.  Various  manuals,  advisories  and  guidelines  have  been brought out covering various aspects solid waste and plastic waste management.

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