Heeding to the plea of a law student that enormous quantity of paper is wasted every year in Delhi University Students' Union polls, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) today restrained the students body from pasting pamphlets and other material on the walls in the varsity Campus and sought a response from the government on the issue.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi issued notice to Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Delhi University, University Grants Commission and Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) while seeking their replies by September 23.
"Counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that there is need to urgently stay the pasting of pamphlets etc. On the walls of the DU Campus as it not only gives rise to loss of natural resources but as well as pollutes the environment by creating litter and defacing the walls.
"DUSU is restrained from pasting pamphlets etc. On the walls in the DU Campus as well as on the public streets," the bench said.
The directions came on a plea by Delhi University law student Nithin Chandran who approached NGT against indiscriminate wastage of paper during the students' body elections. The polls this year was held on September 11.
Chandran has contended in his plea that he was shocked to see posters, pamphlets, flyers and cards being used for canvassing and campaigning in DUSU elections by various candidates.
"Every year in DUSU election and other student bodies' election, the quantity of paper wasted in canvassing and campaigning is huge and the damage therein to the environment is irreparable.
"On every election, tonnes of paper are wasted for canvassing by the candidates and their supporters. Wherein, there is no accountability for usage of paper and neither there is any norm or procedure for re-cycling of this waste paper," the plea said.
It has also cited the Supreme Court's 2006 order in which it had directed universities to implement the recommendations of the JM Lyngdoh committee in their student union elections.
The committee had recommended prohibition on the use of printed paper and posters for canvassing and suggested use of hand-made posters in elections.
