Epidemic threat at Vrindavan forest

Our Correspondent

Palampur, October 5

Brij Bhushan, Executive Engineer of the state Pollution Control Board (PCB), today visited the Vrindavan forest, which has turned into a big garbage dumpsite in the past few months. The team comprising officials of the Forest, Rural Development and Revenue departments inspected the affected area, situated around 3 km from here. There was a serious threat of an epidemic break out in the area, it observed.

Former MLA Parveen Sharma and residents of Vrindavan, Chimbalhar and Phata areas filed a complaint with the board team highlighting large-scale dumping of garbage, animal carcasses and human waste in the forest area.

After visiting the spot, Bhushan said it was a serious matter and the board would initiate action against the culprits. Members of an NGO, INSAF, who had taken over the responsibility of cleaning the forest, requested the PCB officials to get an FIR registered at a local police station so that persons responsible for spoiling the green environment were put behind bars. Locals also asked the team for action against panchayat representatives who had turned a blind eye to the problem and allowed reckless dumping of garbage in the area.

Parveen said the government should ensure that the guilty persons were penalised under the IPC, CrPC and environmental laws. A water channel passing through the forest has also been polluted. Besides, a foul smell emanates from the area.

People’s Voice, an NGO fighting for environment protection, has urged the state government to blacklist all panchayat pradhans who allowed dumping of waste in their areas. It also urged the Forest Department to file a complaint with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in this regard.