Binwa turns river of garbage at Baijnath

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, January 29

The Binwa, passing through Baijnath and a tributary of the Beas, has turned into a dumping ground as garbage is being thrown into the river by the Baijnath Municipal Council and temple authorities in violation of the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal. However, the district authorities are unconcerned with the situation.

The river is a major source of drinking water in the lower areas of Baijnath and Paprola. It has become highly polluted today.

Chhavi Nanta, SDM, Baijnath, said there was no place for dumping of garbage in Baijnath, therefore, the MC had been dumping it into the river. The land allotted for the dumping site was disputed. She had started proceedings under Section 133 of the IPC against the MC. She said she was not getting cooperation from the locals to check the situation.

However, Ruchi Kapoor, president of the Baijnath Municipal Council, tells a different story. She said the DC had transferred over 40 kanals for the garbage treatment plant and there was no dispute at all. Despite repeated requests, the revenue authorities had failed to demarcate land.

The MC had floated tenders for the boundary wall of the land. The matter was also brought to the notice of the SDM and Tehsildar but in the past six months, no demarcation was done. She said over Rs 11 crore was lying with the MC for the development of the town but could not be utilised in past two years.

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Caption:- Garbage dumps in Binwa river,Ravinder Sood

2) Left side of the temple facing erosion- Ravinder Sood