Pune: NGT seeks details on implementation of plastic waste management rules from civic bodies

The NGT also urged the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to train all levels of the system if it wants to ensure effective implementation of the rules.

People at every level of the system should be trained to handle plastic waste for proper disposal, the NGT bench said. (Representational Image)

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday sought details on the exact status of the implementation of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 in Maharashtra from urban local bodies, and what action has been taken against those not complying with the rules. The NGT also urged the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to train all levels of the system if it wants to ensure effective implementation of the rules.

A bench comprising Justice S P Wangdi and Dr Nagin Nanda, while hearing a petition filed by a Sangli-based lecturer, Ravindra Shinde, about the poor implementation of plastic waste management rules, said unless and until people are sensitised with the problems arising due to plastic waste, the problem will not be addressed properly. The framing of rules and complaints about their poor implementation will go on and a day would come when it will be too late, the bench said.

People at every level of the system, from councillors and commissioners to those working at the ground level, should be trained to handle plastic waste for proper disposal, the bench said. “The steps will only remain a photo opportunity or merely grab headlines while the situation would be zero at the ground level,” the bench stated.

Plastic waste has affected animals like cattle on ground, turtle and fishes in the sea, the bench added. The MPCB is a statutory authority and has to ensure effective implementation of the rules, so it should train people and involve the public in the implementation of the rules, the bench said.

The bench directed the state-level advisory committee (SLAC) of the Maharashtra government to identify the local civic bodies not complying with the Plastic Waste Management Rules and what action, if any, has been taken against them.

Shinde’s lawyer, Asim Sarode, urged the bench to give directions to all district collectors to ensure that the wetlands in their respective areas are not polluted with plastic waste.

Earlier, the MPCB and the state environment department had said all urban local bodies in the state are complying with the provision of storage and segregation of plastic waste.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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