NGT brings Guashalas and dairy farms under Pollution control Board mandate

The modalities for bringing Dairy farms and Gaushalas under the purview of Pollution Control Board, as per the order of National Green Tribunal (NGT), were today discussed here at a meeting chaired J&K’s PCB chairman, Suresh Chugh.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), in its order dated May 20, 2020, has directed Pollution Control Boards of all States and UTs to obtain information from all local bodies pertaining to pollution caused by dairy farms and submit relevant data to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The meeting discussed in detail the modalities for the implementation of NGT order in J&K, The meeting was attended by the Member Secretary, B. M. Sharma; Regional Director Jammu, Dr. Syed Nadeem Hussain; Regional Director Kashmir Rafi Ahmad; Air-Water Analyst, Dr Yashpal; AEE, A K Gupta; and Scientist, Anuradha.

A Bench of NGT, headed by Chief Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel in its order has asked the State PCBs/PCCs (Pollution Control Committees) to publish an appropriate notice on the subject within two weeks requiring furnishing of information and also adopting all necessary safeguards in the matter.” The J&K PCB Chairman informed that the State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees have been directed to furnish factual and action-taken reports to the apex pollution control body by mid Sept. 2020 and thereafter every six months.

Private operators, including cooperative societies or other entities, not falling within the jurisdiction of local bodies, are also required to obtain consent from the State PCBs within one month, he added. He said that dairy activities have been categorized as “orange” and the guidelines prepared by the CPCB and State boards or committees are required to enforce ‘consent mechanism’ and in particular, follow the appropriate sitting policy in the light of the carrying capacity of the area for commercial dairy activities, having potential for air and water pollution.

“Gaushalas are to be treated under green category, but if it is using more than 100 KLD water then it falls in orange category” he added. He said ULBs have also been directed to get Environmental audit of 2 Dairy farms and two Gaushalas done per district every month. The Chairman PCB also directed the officers to carry out advertisement campaign in electronic and Print Media to sensitive all the Stakeholders to follow the new guidelines in letter & spirit and apply for the consent of the Board accordingly.