TNPCB fines Kodaikanal Municipality ₹41 lakh

TNPCB directs Kodaikanal Municipality to pay ₹41 lakh for violating waste management rules, a win for local activists.

In a landmark move, a direction has been issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to the Commissioner of Kodaikanal Municipality to remit an interim environmental compensation of ₹41 lakh for not complying with the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

P. Manimaran, District Environmental Engineer, TNPCB, Dindigul, in a communique to the Commissioner has said as per the law, the municipality was asked to operate facilities for processing, recycling, treatment and disposal of municipal solid waste in five locations.

Later, under Section 5 of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, directions were also issued to the municipality.

“The Kodaikanal municipality has not complied with all the conditions mentioned in the direction,” says the letter from the TNPCB, which was accessed by The Hindu.

Hence, the compensation has been levied for not commencing and completing biomining of legacy waste at the dumpsite. The letter also says if the compensation is not furnished it may lead to further environmental compensation as per an NGT ruling.

This direction by the TNPCB to the Municipality has been possible due to the sustained efforts taken by activists and residents of Kodaikanal.

In July, a group of residents had met officials from various government departments in Chennai and submitted a petition seeking action for implementation of the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) that was notified in 2020.