Urban News

The Hindu  05.10.2010

Experts focus on making the best use of waste

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Experts at a workshop on waste management organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here over the weekend called for “proactive action” by industry, government agencies and society at large for ensuring safe disposal of waste material and gainful utilisation of recycled products.

They emphasised the need for finding out sustainable solutions to the challenges of waste management and minimise the risk posed by hazardous industrial waste to water and environment.

“For a better environment, we must know how to make the best out of waste,” said Rajasthan Minister of State for Environment and Forests Ramlal Jat. He said if sincere efforts were made in the beginning, a clean and hygienic environment could be ensured during the execution of industrial projects.

Waste recycling

The Minister said recycling of the waste material could help protect environment and added that safe disposal of hazardous waste, including the bio-waste, should get the highest priority of industry. He pointed out that the State's environment policy had attached a great significance to scientific waste management.

The speakers pointed out that sustainability of waste management was the key to providing a continuous and effective service satisfying the needs of all stakeholders and end users. The 10 {+t} {+h} Five Year Plan document reveals that the country produces 48 million tonnes of urban solid waste annually and the solid waste generation is approximately 0.4 kg per capita per day.

Principal Environment Secretary V. S. Singh said the industry should not only be eco-friendly but should also comply with the rules and regulations for environment protection. “Business must address the challenges and turn them into opportunities for sustainability,” he affirmed.

‘Revenue earning'

CII State Council vice-chairman S. G. Vyas said waste management was an integral part of contemporary industrial functions, while some industries utilised the waste products of other industries to earn revenue out of it. Param Kannampilly of Concept Hospitality made a presentation on the methods for utilising waste products and making “meaningful solutions” out of them. He said the best practices in the field included preparation of vermi-compost, in-house waste management treatment plants and the use of recycled water.

Experts from all over the country threw light on various subjects such as growing challenges of industrial waste, case studies on mining, technological innovations in municipal solid waste management, plastic waste management, e-waste management and innovations in industrial wastewater management.

The Hindu  05.10.2010

“Keep Pallikaranai project in abeyance”

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) has ordered that the project for the Integrated Municipal Solid Waste processing plant of 1400 TPD capacity at Pallikaranai by the Chennai Corporation on the outskirts of the city be kept in abeyance till October 20.

Member of the Authority J.C. Kala passed this order on an appeal from V. Srinivasan of Tiruvanmiyur challenging the environmental clearance granted by the Tamil Nadu State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (TNSEIAA).

The NEAA issued notice to the TNSEIAA, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Chennai Corporation and posted the appeal for further hearing on October 20.

The NEAA, in its order dated September 28, noted that the Guindy National Park was within 10 km of the location prescribed in the EIA report and the area was suspected to be part of marshy/wetland and ordered that further work in the project be kept in abeyance till the next date of hearing on October 20.

The appellant, convener of Save Pallikaranai Marshland Forum, pointed out that as per the 2006 EIA notification, this project required environmental clearance from the Central government on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee. The project was located within 10 km of the Guindy National park and six km from the Nanmangalam reserve forest and therefore the clearance of the TNSEIAA was without jurisdiction and invalid.

The appellant pointed out that alternative locations not within waterbodies or close to residential areas had not been considered. Therefore, the assertion that this was the most suitable site was baseless. It was submitted that by virtue of its location inside the swamp, the project site would get flooded several times in a year and this would lead to spread of contamination and pathogens through the water to neighbouring communities. The EIA report failed to anticipate floods or prepare for such a seasonal certainty. The appellant sought quashing of the environment clearance granted on June 30 and to an interim stay of the clearance.