NGT directs chief secys to provide info on solid waste, environment, pollution

NEW DELHI: To obtain the information from the chief secretaries on solid waste management, rejuvenation of polluted rivers, and air quality management in States and Union Territories, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on January 7. The NGT bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson, said that the kind and extent of information provided by the CPCB is incomplete and a huge gap can be seen in the information available on sewage and generation and waste water treatment. Further, the CPCB grading categorizing information in ‘good’, ‘average’, ‘poor’, and ‘no information’ was based on the extent of information furnished, added the green bench.

Talking on the information provided by the CPCB on solid waste management issues, the green bench said that the information required was with regard to the amount of municipal solid waste generated, the quantity of waste segregated and treated and the amount of legacy waste. Solid waste management is one of the most important factors where the cities face challenges. Although, Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 already exist, their implementation still remains a problem, added the green bench.

As per the data provided by the CPCB there are nearly 4000 legacy waste dumpsites which needs immediate action under the Solid Waste Management Rules and directions of the NGT having regard to harmful effects on public health and environment.

The tribunal, with regard to the revival of 351 polluted river stretches, said that there is a need for the states to furnish information about the compliance of directions, including in-situ and ex-situ remediation using methods such as creating artificial wetlands, bio-diversity parks to reduce load on rivers, and more.

“Chief secretaries need to monitor and compile information on the subject of execution of action plans for containment of air pollution in 122 cities, where air quality is not within permissible limits, in terms of orders of this tribunal and furnish the quantifiable progress/achievement to the CPCB,” the NGT bench said.

Further, the green bench said that besides this it will free the land occupied by such dumpsites which are urgently required for setting up of integrated waste management and other waste processing facilities or for developing green belts, bio-diversity parks in compliance with the environmental laws.