Hardly any progress: Green Tribunal flags waste crisis in tribal Lahaul-Spiti

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has expressed concern over the continuing mismanagement of solid waste in Keylong and surrounding areas of Lahaul and Spiti district. It has observed that there has been “hardly any progress” despite repeated directions and assurances from the local authorities. A Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr A Senthil Vel, Expert Member, had heard the matter recently.

The Tribunal took note of an inspection-cum-action taken report submitted by the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) on January 8. The report revealed widespread violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, at several locations, including Shakas Nullah, Billing Nullah, Sissu-Koksar Road near the Atal Tunnel North Portal, Gompathang Nullah and areas near the BRO residences.

According to the report, solid waste dumping was observed on hill slopes and in natural drains, indicating the absence of 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection by the Special Area Development Authority (SADA), Keylong. Only one CCTV camera was found installed near a dumping hotspot and no corrective measures were put in place to curb illegal dumping.

The inspection also flagged serious deficiencies at the Material Recovery Facility at Billing. The Tribunal noted that the facility lacked a weighbridge and there were no proper records of waste received or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) disposal.

Further, the HPSPCB reported that the SADA, Keylong, had failed to install warning signboards or awareness signage regarding penalties for littering. It was also revealed that the authority had not framed bylaws for the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, nor had it notified user charges for door-to-door waste collection till date.

The Tribunal observed that the situation remained largely unchanged since the earlier inspection conducted on September 29, 2025, which had already been discussed in the proceedings on October 13, 2025. At that time, the Keylong SDM had assured the Tribunal of expeditious action.

During the latest hearing, the Bench had directed the Keylong SDM to file a detailed action-taken report, supported by an affidavit, at least one week before the next date of hearing. The case has been listed for further hearing on April 15. The Tribunal passed the order on a petition filed by an environmental organisation, Friends.