The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday ordered issue of notice to the State government, Ministry of Environment and Forests and various civic agencies on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking directions to ensure that solid wastes are segregated at source by citizens of Bangalore, and for proper solid waste management.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Aravind Kumar passed the order on the petition filed by Kavitha Shankar, a resident of Indiranagar.
The petitioner also said the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) should collect only residual waste that is separated from recyclable waste from houses and offices.
Complaining that existing waste landfill site of the BBMP at Mavallipura had resulted in pollution of air and groundwater, and does not generate compost, the petitioner sought a direction to the BBMP to store only residual waste at landfills.
Pointing out that there are areas earmarked for solid waste disposal in the Master Plan 2015, the petitioner sought a direction to Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to ensure that every layout had designated areas for dry waste collection centre and compost plants.
The petition also sought a court direction to show a one-minute film on the benefits of solid waste management at the source at the start of every movie in the theatres so as to educate people in this regard.
Special magistrate
She made a plea for another directive to the State government to appoint a Special Executive Magistrate under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure by recruiting retired government officials or retired civil servants or ex-defence personnel, who may be nominated by the residents welfare associations, to oversee implementation and enforcement of segregation of waste at source in every ward.