Himachal Pradesh to set up ‘Environment Cell’ for urban waste management

Shimla, August 19: Taking a decisive step to tackle the growing waste management challenges in urban areas, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to set up a dedicated ‘Environment Cell’ within the Urban Development Department. This new initiative aims to address the growing demands for solid and liquid waste management in the urban centres of the state, which has become a challenge due to rapid urbanisation.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while emphasizing the urgency of the measure, said that the 60 urban local bodies (ULBs) of the state, including five municipal corporations, 29 municipal councils and 26 nagar panchayats, are grappling with the growing demands for municipal services. “Solid and liquid waste management is the biggest challenge facing urban local bodies today. Hence, we are setting up a dedicated cell to tackle these challenges and ensure a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment in Himachal Pradesh,” the Chief Minister said.

Currently, the Urban Development Department oversees the implementation of various waste management rules but lacks adequate technical manpower for effective execution. The newly established environment cell is expected to fill this gap by providing the required staff and expertise. Earlier, waste management functions were handled by the project branch of the Urban Development Directorate. The creation of the environment cell is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the environmental sustainability of the state’s urban local bodies.

Emphasizing the importance of proper waste disposal, Chief Minister Sukhu said improper disposal of waste materials can significantly impact public health, environment and overall quality of life. “Effective waste management practices are essential not only to prevent the spread of diseases and protect drinking water, but also to maintain air quality and safeguard the overall well-being of the community,” he said.