Garhwa: Fresh concerns have been raised over the alleged dumping and burning of municipal waste along the banks of the Danro River near the Sonpurwa cremation ground, with the district unit of the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) urging the administration to take immediate corrective measures.
In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Deepak Sharma, District President of AJSU, alleged that the Garhwa Municipal Council has resumed dumping city waste at the site over the past week after the practice had earlier been halted following intervention by environmental authorities.
According to Sharma, heaps of garbage are reportedly being deposited near the riverbank and portions of the waste have allegedly been set on fire, resulting in the release of smoke and foul odour. He claimed that the situation poses a threat to public health, particularly for children, elderly residents and individuals suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments.
The AJSU leader further expressed concern over the location of the dumping site, noting that it lies adjacent to a major Chhath Puja venue where large gatherings of devotees assemble during the annual festival. He warned that continued dumping and burning of waste in the area could adversely affect both the environment and public health.
Referring to previous proceedings, Sharma stated that the issue had earlier been brought before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Following a joint committee inspection of the site on September 29, 2026, dumping activities at the location had reportedly been discontinued. He, however, alleged that the practice has now resumed despite concerns previously raised regarding its environmental impact.
In his representation, Sharma questioned the apparent lack of intervention by the concerned authorities and sought immediate action to prevent further dumping at the riverside location. He urged the district administration to ensure protection of the river ecosystem, safeguard public health and examine whether existing waste disposal practices comply with environmental norms.
The memorandum was submitted in the presence of Shankar Pratap Vishwakarma, Central Secretary of AJSU, who also called for a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to municipal waste management.
No official statement from the district administration or the municipal council was available on the allegations at the time of filing this report.
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