The main legal point established in the judgment is the need for strict enforcement of environmental laws and rules, particularly the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996, Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules, 2000, to address environmental pollution caused by garbage dumping and to ensure proper management and disposal of garbage in an environmentally safe manner.

F.I. Rebello. J.- Writ Petition No. 417/2002 has been filed by the petitioners who are the Members of the "Sonsoddo Citizens Forum against Dumping at Sonsoddo". The Forum consists of members, who are the residents and other affected citizens from surrounding areas, and has been constituted with the object of pursuing with the concerned authorities the abatement of nuisance/pollution caused by the dumping of untreated garbage at the said dumping site at Sonsoddo. Respondent No. 1 is the Municipal Council of Margao. which is using the said site for disposal of garbage. It is the contention of the petitioners that the dumped garbage includes bio-degradable wastes, non-bio-degradable wastes, consisting of polythene, PVC, Plastic etc., and the bio-medical/clinical wastes from hospitals, syringes, needles, damaged mercury based instruments, etc. The garbage also comprises of carcasses of dead animals, the night soils contents, including septic tank and other gutter wastes. The petitioners contend that all through out the day, burning of such decomposed unsorted dumped garbage emits thick noxious smoke which spreads to a radial distance of 2 to 3 kms. The petitioners contend that emission of these fumes and consequent inhaling of the same is causing severe inconvenience and health hazards to several persons residing around the dumping site area and causes skin allergies and various breathing problems. The polythene, PVC and other plastic materials dumped are blown over to the adjoining private properties and residential areas. Considering the nature of the petition, it is really not necessary to go into the various averments in the petition as that can be the subject-matter of directions, considering the material which is on record and which will be adverted to in the course of the discussion. The main relief prayed for by the petitioners against the respondents is to direct the respondents to stop the dumping of garbage at the dumping site at Sonsoddo. Margao. Various interim reliefs were prayed for, which need not be considered at this stage.

On behalf of respondent No.1, affidavits have been filed from time to time. It is pointed out that the Sonsoddo dumping site is being used as a dumping site for more than 50 years. Till about 10 years ago this site was an isolated place with no population around a radius of 2 kms. Respondent No. 1 denies that on account of dumping there is any nuisance, health hazard, pollution or environmental degradation or that there is deliberate inaction and failure to discharge the statutory duties. It is pointed out that the council during the pendency of the petition, has shifted approximately 13000 cubic metres of compost from the said site. It is, therefore, contended that the contention of the petitioners that there is no scope for continuing any further dumping is incorrect. The respondent No. 1 council it is contended collects mostly mixed garbage which contains 20% to 30% inorganic wastes. This inorganic waste is being sorted out at the dump site by the rap-pickers present at the site and most of the inorganic wastes like plastic, glasses, tins, etc., are being segregated at the site. Other allegations made in the petition have been denied.

On behalf of respondent No. 3, various affidavits have been filed. An additional affidavit has been filed on 7.7.2003. It is therein pointed out, that the counsel for the petitioners in Writ Petition No. 28/2003 had presented before this Court a copy of a Scheme for Environment Friendly Disposal of Municipal Wastes in Goa in accordance with the MSW Rules, 2000. In order to formulate the Government stand on the scheme, the Committee consisting of the Director of Municipal Administration, Member Secretary, Goa State Urban Development Agency, Director (Science, Technology and Environment), Commissioner, Corporation of the City of Panaji and the Chief Officers of Ponda and Mapusa Municipal Councils, was constituted and the Committee was asked to examine the