Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Haripriya Patel Vs State of Odisha & Others dated 24/03/2025.

The matter related to the dumping yard at Baliapanda which is situated 50-100 meter away from Puri sea beach and a few km away from Puri Jagannath temple. Even though bio-mining process has been initiated in Baliapanda, Puri to manage waste efficiently, with recycling and composting but despite these efforts, garbage fires continue, releasing harmful smoke and endangering the health of local residents. It was stated that a specific 5-acre area in Baliapanda was initially designated for waste dumping but overtime, this has expanded to about 10 acres but after residential areas developed nearby, the authorities decided to cease dumping there and used modern methods to process the waste.

It was also mentioned that nearly 2,000 families live in areas adjacent to the waste hill and despite this, the municipality continues to dump waste and garbage from the city and from the crematoriums there. It was stated that during the rainy season, the rainwater mixes with the waste, creating a foul smell and breeding insects.

The NGT directed notice to be issued to the Department of Environment & Forest, Odisha; District Magistrate Puri; Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and Puri Municipality. All the respondents have been directed to file their counter affidavits.