The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken serious exception to alleged large-scale violations in solid waste management and bio-mining operations at the Rangri waste treatment facility in Manali, describing the situation as a “sad state of affairs”. The observations came during the hearing of an environmental matter after the Court examined an inspection report submitted by the HP State Pollution Control Board.
A Division Bench of Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi directed the Executive Officer of Municipal Council Manali and the authorised representative of Suntan Life Pvt Ltd to remain personally present on the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed for July 8.
According to the inspection conducted on February 21, 2026, in the presence of Municipal Council officials, nearly 85 per cent of the waste reaching the Rangri plant was found to be mixed waste instead of segregated waste, in violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The report noted that improper segregation had led to foul smell in nearby areas and that no effective odour or fly-control mechanisms were in place at the facility.
The court was also informed that untreated wet waste was lying exposed at the site, generating leachate, while the designated leachate pit was non-functional. During the hearing, it emerged that wet waste from Manali was being transported to a biogas plant at Jatwar in Ambala, more than 300 km away. The Bench expressed strong displeasure over the practice, observing that transporting untreated wet waste over such a long distance would itself contribute to pollution.
The inspection further revealed serious shortcomings in bio-mining operations. Of the 78,464 tonnes of legacy waste accumulated at the site, only 32,778.46 tonnes had reportedly been processed till January 2026.
