Waste disposal in Dharamsala's Ingle rivulet polluting irrigation sources of Sakoh

Lalit Mohan

Dharamsala, July 11

The illegal dumping of solid waste in the Ingle rivulet in Dharamsala has been spelling trouble for residents of Sakoh area of Dharamsala who are alleging that solid waste such as plastic was flowing into their fields through the irrigation khull emanating from the rivulet.

The rivulet passes through lower Dharamsala and Sakoh areas. The illegal dumping of waste was taking place in the rivulet near the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBSE). Huge dumps of plastic waste and construction muck can be seen dumped at the rivulet near the HPBSE head office.

Dharam Chand, an area resident, while talking to The Tribune, alleged that waste dumped at the rivulet was polluting their fields. Chand said the khull was brining plastic and construction waste to the fields. “We have complained against illegal dumping of waste reaching our fields to the district administration, but no action has been taken,” he said.

Sanjay Kumar, another resident, said there was a time when water coming from the khull of Ingle rivulet was used by villagers for drinking purpose as well. However, the water now is not even fit for irrigating the fields.

Dumping of construction waste and muck in rivers and on hill slopes was continuing with impunity in Dharamsala region. People were dumping muck generated for levelling their lands and construction waste directly into the rivers in violation of orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) while the authorities are just silent spectators.

Huge amounts of muck have been dumped into the Manjhi River near Moli area of Dharamsala, after levelling a land on its banks. Muck was being dumped into the Charan river directly.

Geologists have also warned the district administration of Kangra against the illegal dumping of muck in river. In 2022, due to the dumping of muck and encroachments in local nullah in Bhagsunag area of Dharamsala, flood-like situations developed in the area. After flash floods, the Dharamsala Municipal Corporation had resorted to the removal of encroachments from the nullah. Many people were also fined for dumping muck in rivers of the area.

The Kangra district administration had passed directions to pollution control board to take action against those who were dumping muck in local rivers.

As per the rules, the pollution control board and Dharamsala MC can impose fine on those dumping solid waste illegally in rivulets or rivers. However, the penalties are hardly imposed on people dumping waste in rivers.