Leh, August 06: Principal Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Climate Change, UT of Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal, chaired the first meeting of the Pollution Control Committee at the UT Secretariat today. 

 Detailed discussion on varied issues such as the Mandate and Duties of the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee, Outsourcing Scientific and Engineering staff, setting up of Air, Water and Noise monitoring stations was held.

 Also, discussion on delegation of Powers to issue consents under section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, delegation of Administrative Powers, and delegation of Financial Powers during the meeting. The Committee deliberated on these proposals and approved them.

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 The Committee was informed that the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee was constituted on March 25, 2021, as per section 4 of the Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act,1974 and section 6 of the Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act), 1981.

 The Committee approved the proposal to outsource the Scientific and Administrative staff for the PCC UT of Ladakh for which Ladakh Administration be requested to provide the requisite funds. 

 Further, the Committee was informed that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) already sanctioned eight Water Quality Monitoring Stations for UT Ladakh under the National Water Monitoring Programme (NWMP). Also, it was informed that the funds under the head ‘Machinery and Equipment’ are presently available for the procurement of equipment for these stations.

 During the meeting, the Committee proposed that LPCC may seek the assistance of CPCB to prepare a comprehensive proposal for setting up of these stations, including preparation of bid documents for establishment, operation and maintenance of the stations. Dr Pawan Kotwal requested the experts of CPCB to extend handholding support to the newly constituted PCC of the UT of Ladakh so that it can discharge its functions effectively as soon as possible. Member Secretary of CPCB, Dr. Prashant Gargava, assured that they will provide all the necessary technical guidance and assistance to the PCC of UT of Ladakh.

 The Chairman, Ladakh Chamber of Industries, Tashi Gyalson raised the issue of issuance of Consent to Operate (COO) to the Guests Houses & MSMEs.  The Chairman PCC observed that there exists a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) in Leh Town which has been developed by an international NGO, namely, BORDA of Germany. He requested the Member Secretary CPCB to send a team of experts from CPCB to ascertain whether treatment of the Faecal Sludge / Sewage at this plant would be sufficient as per Norms for giving COO to the Guest Houses / MSMEs on this disposal technique.  The Member Secretary CPCB said he would send the expert/s as soon as all the DPR / Data of the said Plant & the Technology used in it are sent to the CPCB by the PCC Ladakh.

 The Committee approved the adoption of consent fee structure which was in force in Ladakh prior to the bifurcation of erstwhile state of J&K into UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh. 

 Earlier, Preet Pal Singh, Chief Conservator of Forest gave a detailed presentation on the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee. 

 The meeting was attended by Saugat Biswas, Administrative Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Dr. Phunsok Angchuk Director, Health & Medical Education, UT Ladakh; Regional Officer, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Jammu; Professor Sameer K. Sarma, Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu; Professor Raj Kumar Rampal, Head, Department of Environmental Science, University of Jammu; Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi; Chairman, Ladakh, Chamber of Industries and Chief Wildlife Warden, UT Ladakh.