Chief Secretary reviews SWM compliance, orders time-bound action

LEH: Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Thursday directed all departments and district administrations in Ladakh to implement the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules in a time-bound manner, ordering immediate action against illegal dumping, strengthening waste management infrastructure and ensuring full compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions on scientific waste disposal.

Chairing a high-level review meeting, Kundra assessed the Union Territory’s preparedness to implement the apex court’s May 5, 2026 order in Civil Appeal No. 6174 of 2023, which mandates stricter enforcement of scientific solid waste management practices across the country.

The Chief Secretary instructed all Deputy Commissioners to establish effective monitoring mechanisms, identify and eliminate unauthorised dumping sites, prevent the emergence of new garbage vulnerable points and ensure regular inspections of waste management facilities. He also called for a uniform reporting system across all districts to strengthen accountability and monitor progress.

Reviewing waste management in Leh, Kargil and the newly created districts, Kundra expressed concern over environmental pressures in tourist destinations and ecologically fragile regions, including Nubra, Zanskar, Drass, Sham and Changthang, where increasing tourist footfall and geographical constraints have complicated waste management.

Recognising tourism as a major contributor to waste generation, the Chief Secretary directed the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association to submit details of compliance by hotels, guest houses and other tourism establishments with mandatory waste segregation, composting and scientific disposal norms.

In a series of time-bound directions, Kundra ordered the installation of dustbins at tourist halt points, tea stalls and public gathering places within one week, along with prominent anti-littering signboards displaying penalties for violations. He reiterated that all government offices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, defence establishments and other public institutions must strictly enforce the ban on single-use plastics in accordance with the Lieutenant Governor’s directions.

While stressing strict enforcement of waste management regulations, the Chief Secretary said awareness must precede punitive measures. He directed district administrations to launch extensive public awareness campaigns and involve Nambardars, religious leaders, market associations and civil society organisations in promoting responsible waste disposal and community participation.

Kundra also called for strengthening waste collection infrastructure across the Union Territory, noting the requirement of nearly 70 additional waste collection vehicles. The meeting reviewed issues related to legacy waste bioremediation, monitoring of Bulk Waste Generators, installation of waste bins at petrol pumps, sanitation facilities at tourist destinations, parking management and dissemination of waste management awareness through airlines.

Expressing concern over environmental degradation in fragile ecosystems, the Chief Secretary directed strict enforcement against illegal off-roading in wildlife habitats and ecologically sensitive areas, stating that violations must be dealt with firmly under the relevant environmental laws.

The meeting was attended by senior administrative officers, Deputy Commissioners, representatives of the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee, the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association, merchant bodies, contractors’ associations and other stakeholders.