River at Risk: NGT Steps In as Residents Sound Alarm Over Illegal Dumping in Mandi
The quiet valleys of Mandi are facing a noisy crisis. Residents of Sauli Khud say their river is being choked by indiscriminate dumping of muck and boulders from the ongoing four-lane highway project. What was once a lifeline for the community is now turning into a hazard, with altered river flows, erosion threats, and even giant rocks tumbling dangerously close to homes and roads.
On November 19, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took serious note of these complaints and demanded answers from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Notices have also gone out to the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the Mandi District Administration, and the State Government.
The Residents Welfare Association (RWA) Riverdale, which raised the alarm, accused contractors of flouting clear environmental rules that forbid muck from entering natural water bodies. The Tribunal agreed that the issue raises “substantial questions relating to environment” and ordered NHAI to spell out exactly how it is ensuring muck is dumped only at approved sites.
For locals, the problem is already visible. The river’s flow has begun to change, increasing the risk of flash floods during monsoon. Safety fears are mounting too, as boulders rolling downhill from dumping zones threaten both residents and commuters.
This isn’t just about construction—it’s about protecting a fragile ecosystem and the people who depend on it.
