J&K Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment has sought a detailed report from the concerned departments on the environmental and ecological impact of the dumping sites at Achan (landfill site) in Srinagar and Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu.
Both landfill (dumping) sites, holding million tonnes of untreated garbage have emerged as major concerns due to severe environmental and public health hazards.
J&K Forest, Environment and Ecology Department and the J&K Pollution Control Committee (J&K PCC) have been asked to report about the status of legacy waste remediation; measures undertaken for scientific waste processing and disposal, compliance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and other regulatory authorities.
The House Committee, chaired by CPI-M MLA M Y Tarigami, will quiz the department officials tomorrow, June 18, 2026 during its second meeting in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Srinagar.
Both the government agencies will brief the panel about the progress of the proposed Integrated Solid Waste Management (lSWM) project at Achan.
The department has also been asked to apprise the Committee of the impact, if any, of waste management activities at Achan on the ecology of Anchar lake in Kashmir and Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu and surrounding habitations.
The panel will be briefed about the measures adopted to prevent leachate, groundwater, air and water pollution, and the environmental safeguards put in place for the protection of public health and the restoration of the affected ecosystem.
The government agencies have been asked to specify whether directions or orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and other environmental authorities have been complied with or not.
The LA panel has also sought details of compensation, health care facilities, rehabilitation measures and environmental safeguards being provided to residents affected by pollution and environmental hazards in the surrounding areas and mitigating environmental risks associated with the Achan, Srinagar and Bhagwati Nagar Jammu landfill sites.
Besides Tarigami, the LA panel also comprises MLAs Prof Gharu Ram; Sajad Gani Lone; Dr Baldev Raj Sharma; Daleep Singh; Showkat Hussain Ganie; Javaid Ahmad Mirchal; Dr Sajjad Shafi; Salman Sagar; Javaid Riyaz (Bedar); Rameshwar Singh and Devyanl Rana.
The Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, the Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Environment and Ecology Department and the Chairman, Pollution Control Board, J&K along with all the concerned officers will attend the meeting.
The Forest, Environment and Ecology Department and the J&K Pollution Control Committee (J&K PCC), being the key stakeholders in implementation of environmental laws, its protection and solid waste management (SWM) strategies in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, have been asked to apprise the Committee of the measures undertaken to address violation of environmental laws and waste management challenges, the progress achieved, and the roadmap for future action.
The Department has also been asked to indicate the mechanisms adopted for monitoring the implementation of environmental laws and regulations and the steps taken to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of land filling, incineration, and unscientific dumping of waste.
Further, they (concerned agencies) will apprise the members of the Committee on Environment steps taken to strengthen environmental governance and promote sustainable waste management practices in the Union Territory.
The House panel has also asked for details regarding the percentage of municipal waste generated in Jammu and Srinagar city that is being recycled, composted and scientifically processed; the present status of remediation of legacy waste at dumping sites; whether ground water and air quality monitoring has been conducted in and around such waste disposal areas and the findings thereof.
The concerned agencies have been asked to explain whether the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2015 are being fully implemented by the concerned authorities or not; besides the reasons for continued pollution, foul smell and public health complaints being reported by residents living near the dumping sites.
The panel, as per agenda, will also seek details from Srinagar Municipal Corporation and the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) regarding the machinery and equipment deployed for sanitation and waste management purposes.
The House Committee will also review the number and status of drains or nullahs carrying sewage and wastewater into river Tawi in Jammu city, the extent of pollution caused to the river water, status of interception and treatment measures undertaken by the government, implementation of sewerage and sewage treatment projects and steps being taken to prevent discharge of untreated sewage into the river.
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