Delhi civic bodies awaiting clearance to dump inert waste at mine

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) is awaiting a decision from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) regarding the dumping of inert civic waste in the capital’s abandoned Bhatti mines.

The WII will conduct a study on how the waste will impact flora and fauna at the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary, where the mines are located.

Background

In 2020, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) had moved a proposal to use four 30-metre-deep pits measuring 477 acres at the mines for dumping of inert waste since three municipal corporations in the capital had run out of space to store inert material.

The Ridge Management Board (RMB) had set up a five-member panel in March last year to examine the proposal. The panel had suggested that a study be conducted on the likely impact of dumping of inert material on the flora and fauna of the region.

A decision is expected within the next couple of months, reports The Print.