Pune: The western bench of National Green Tribunal ( NGT ) on Thursday sought clarification from Nashik district collector Jalaj Sharma on the action taken regarding dumping of garbage at Govardhan village for the past eight years. On Sept 11, the principal bench of the tribunal had constituted a joint committee, comprising the district collector, Nashik civic chief and officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), to inspect the matter after an application was filed by a resident of the village. The applicant, Pratiksha Kothule, had stated that garbage was being dumped in an unscientific and irregular manner in the village located on Gangapur Road in Nashik.
On several occasions, garbage was illegally burnt, causing air pollution and emitting foul smell in the area. The committee was instructed to visit the site, collect relevant information, and submit a factual report before the bench. "In our view, a substantial question relating to the environment due to implementation of enactment mentioned in Schedule I of NGT Act, 2010 has arisen," the bench stated.
The joint committee reported that every day two tonnes of garbage has been dumped continuously and unscientifically in one area of the village without any form of processing. Upon hearing this, the tribunal asked the district collector to present the govt's action on the same. "It is also recorded therein that the district collector (Nashik) issued directions to the chief executive officer if Nashik on Oct.