Gujarat HC Urges Statewide Adoption of GPCB Plastic Waste Rules by Municipal Bodies
The Gujarat High Court has issued a significant directive to eight municipal corporations across the state, urging them to proactively adopt and replicate successful plastic waste management initiatives pioneered by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). This judicial pronouncement, stemming from a Public Interest Litigation concerning plastic pollution in eco-sensitive zones, underscores the critical need for a concerted effort by urban local bodies to combat the escalating environmental threat posed by plastic waste. The ruling aims to foster the development of cleaner, more sustainable, and equitable urban environments, aligning with broader national goals for environmental protection.
The High Court’s division bench, while reviewing measures to curb plastic accumulation near the sacred Girnar hill temples in Junagadh, an eco-sensitive area, specifically commended the GPCB’s initiatives already operational in Ahmedabad and Surat. These commendable measures include the strategic installation of cloth bag vending machines and reverse vending machines for plastic bottle collection. Such innovations promote eco-friendly consumer practices and facilitate effective waste segregation and recycling, moving closer to a zero-net-carbon urban ecosystem. The court emphasised that these successful models must be emulated in all key public areas with high footfall across the eight municipal corporations.
Beyond the major cities, the High Court also extended its mandate to municipalities overseeing prominent tourist destinations like Dwarka and Somnath, directing them to implement similar vending machine systems in their high-traffic zones. This highlights a broader judicial recognition of plastic pollution’s impact on cultural and ecological heritage sites, which are vital for both tourism and environmental balance. Furthermore, the bench stressed the indispensable role of municipal commissioners in spearheading proactive measures, including conducting educational workshops in schools and vigorously supporting the Central Government’s ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ campaign, fostering behavioural change from the grassroots.
The GPCB, in its affidavit to the Court, presented a sobering assessment of the prevailing situation across 91 Nagarpalikas. While 65 have established Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)—with a mix of manually operated, mechanized, and hybrid units—a concerning three facilities remain non-operational. Moreover, only 32 Nagarpalikas have formal Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with registered plastic waste processors, indicating significant gaps in end-to-end waste management. A stark 26 Nagarpalikas currently lack any MRFs, and a worrying 25 failed to provide any data on plastic waste generation, revealing a substantial challenge in data-driven policy implementation.
As a consequence of these deficiencies, the GPCB has issued a formidable 88 show-cause notices to local bodies, citing non-compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, specifically regarding the installation of MRFs or the signing of MoUs for plastic waste processing. The Board and the State Monitoring Committee have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the strict and sustained enforcement of these crucial rules, which are foundational to achieving a circular economy in waste management. The Court’s directive serves as a powerful impetus for municipal bodies to fulfil their statutory obligations and embrace innovative solutions for a cleaner, healthier, and truly sustainable urban future for Gujarat’s citizens.
