Vrindavan / New Delhi, 2017.02.13 (VT): Vrindavan’s garbage issue is set to be resolved with the courts’ intervention. The case is pending before the National Green Tribunal as well as the Supreme Court of India. The National Green Tribunal on Monday granted last opportunity to submit the status report on Vrindavan’s garbage management. The Vrindavan Municipality has to submit the compliance report of NGT’s earlier order in two weeks time.
In its order on Monday, the Green Court has asked the senior most officer of the Vrindavan Municipality to be present before the Tribunal on 14th March, 2017, in the case of default in submitting the status report.
Meanwhile the required penalty of Rs. 5 lakh, as ‘Environment Compensation’ has been deposited in the registry office of the Supreme Court by the Nagar Palika Parishad Vrindavan. It has also deposited the same amount on behalf of the District Magistrate of Mathura. The Supreme Court had also asked the Municipality to submit the status report in two week’s time, and deposit the amount of penalty before submitting the report. The Apex Court had passed this order on 30th January, 2017.
The court has also instructed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to file its response after physical inspection of the garbage sites as well as the general cleanliness of the temple town.
The Green Court had fined the Vrindavan Municiality, District Magistrate, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the UP State Government for not complying it order to keep Vrindavan Clean.
On 11th May, 2016, the court had directed the Municipality to develop the site on the Maant road for dumping of the Municipal Solid Waste and waste processing plant in accordance with rules. The site was to be developed within four week’s time.
The court had observed, “There shall be total prohibition on dumping and / or burning of Municipal Solid Waste in any street, at any place near the water bodies, market or residential areas. The waste shall be collected by the local authorities on daily basis and dumped at the site strictly in accordance with Municipal Solid Waste, Rules, 2000.”
“We also hereby prohibit the use of carry bags and other plastic waste in the entire city of Vrindavan. 
The state has already issued prohibitory order which should be effectively complying in this area,” ordered the Green Court.
The court had even appointed a local commissioner who made a visit to Vrindavan and submitted an adverse report on Vrindavan’s garbage management. After receiving the report from the local commissioner the court had fined Rs. 11.5 lac as ‘Environment compensation’ on the Municipality, District Magistrate and the UP Pollution Control Board.
The government departments had appealed against the fine, which was rejected by the court. After that the Municipality had filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of India to get relief. But the Apex Court had asked to deposit the fine in the Supreme Court itself, within two week’s time.
Madhumangal Shukla, the petitioner in this case said, “Vrindavan’s sanctity must be maintained by keeping it clean. The orders passed by the National Green Tribunal are in the interest of Vrindavan’s environment. The Municipality must comply its orders.”
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