National Green Tribunal pulls up Himachal govt over Kullu waste crisis

Pointing to the seriousness of the waste accumulation captured in the viral video, the Tribunal said last Thursday that despite action already initiated, additional “appropriate alternative arrangements” were needed. The order was uploaded Friday.

All parties have been given one month to complete the remaining pleadings. The matter has been listed for final hearing on January 16, 2026.

At the hearing, the Himachal Advocate General informed the Tribunal that the state High Court had also taken suo motu cognisance and was conducting independent monitoring through CWPIL 36 of 2025. He argued that, in view of orders passed by the High Court on June 19, July 24, September 1, October 10 and November 12, NGT may not proceed further.

The bench, however, declined to step back. It noted that the Tribunal had taken cognisance on June 5 and proceedings had already reached an “advanced stage of hearing.” Holding that both forums could proceed concurrently, NGT clarified that if any conflict arose, “the order passed by the Hon’ble Himachal Pradesh High Court shall prevail,” and the Tribunal’s order would be ignored only to the extent of such conflict.

After reviewing the replies filed so far, NGT directed the Himachal Pradesh chief secretary to submit an affidavit, either personally or through an authorised officer, detailing action taken to ensure compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, in the Kullu district.

The Tribunal further directed the chief secretary to issue instructions to the adjudicating officer appointed under the amended Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — specifically Sections 15, 15B and 15C as revised through the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 — to take suo motu cognisance of violations and impose penalties on defaulting departments, officers and private parties. Relevant details must also be included in the affidavit.

To ensure accountability across departments, NGT also impleaded the chief secretary as respondent no. 6, and the principal secretaries of Urban Development and Rural Development departments as respondents no. 7 and 8.

Notices were accepted in court by the Advocate General. These departments must file their own responses, detailing compliance with Rules 11 and 13 of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

While the deputy commissioner, Kullu, has already submitted a reply dated November 10, the Tribunal directed him to file an additional response specifically addressing compliance with the waste management rules.

Respondent no. 5, responsible for municipal waste management, was asked to furnish a comprehensive, tabulated account of compliance with Clause (a) to Clause (zl) of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The Tribunal noted that although the municipal body claimed to have e-filed its reply on November 12, the Registry was unable to retrieve it. NGT asked the Registry to ascertain why the e-filed reply did not reflect on the portal and to coordinate with NIC for corrective action.

NGT directed the local body to work with the District Environment Committee, headed by the deputy commissioner, to put these in place and file a detailed compliance report within two months.