NDTV-Dettol Banega Swasth Swachh India NDTV-Dettol Banega Swasth Swachh India
  • Home/
  • Waste Management/
  • Solid And Liquid Waste Management: NGT Says High Priority To Issue, Strict Monitoring The Way Forward

Waste Management

Solid And Liquid Waste Management: NGT Says High Priority To Issue, Strict Monitoring The Way Forward

The NGT said the scope of the present order is to compile and collate the background of waste management in the country along with data filed by the chief secretaries of all the states and Union territories

Solid And Liquid Waste Management: NGT Says High Priority To Issue, Strict Monitoring The Way Forward
The National Green Tribunal has concluded its proceedings on the issue of solid and liquid waste management by all states and Union territories

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has concluded its proceedings on the issue of solid and liquid waste management by all states and Union territories, and said the way forward is to provide high priority to the subject and carry out strict monitoring. The NGT said the scope of the present order is to compile and collate the background of waste management in the country along with data filed by the chief secretaries of all the states and Union territories, besides analysis and directions for further follow-up action.

A bench headed by chairperson Justice A K Goel said,

Since the tribunal has directed the chief secretaries of all the States/UTs to file further progress reports every six months to be taken up by the tribunal for further consideration, if necessary, the proceedings stand concluded for the time being, subject to compliance being further monitored, if necessary.

The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, added,

Way forward has to be in according high priority to the subject and strict monitoring and higher levels of the administration in the states as well as in central government by constituting specialised monitoring cells fixing accountability for deviation from laid down timelines.

Also Read: Government To Geo-Tag Drains Along Ganga To Prevent Discharge Of Solid Waste Into River 

The bench said that the issue of solid waste management was being monitored from 1996 to 2014 by the Supreme Court and the NGT and although statutory rules and policies were present, action on the ground was inadequate.

It said,

There are mountains of garbage generating methane and other gases which are a source of diseases and deaths…Our conclusion is that enacting laws and directions of courts/tribunals are no substitute for good governance and unless the administration accords high priority of the subject, undesirable situations as found may not be remedied.

The bench also said that taking people on board and change of mindset are the need of the hour. Regarding liquid waste management, the bench said the discharge of sewage into drains, rivers and water bodies results in scarcity of drinking water for all living beings apart from the degradation of the environment and damage to public health.

It said the matter in the context of pollution of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers was monitored by the Supreme Court for several decades and the SC in its order dated February 22, 2017, fixed a deadline, which was monitored by the tribunal for the last six years.

The bench said,

Water quality of a large number of rivers (including Ganga and Yamuna), lakes, coastal areas and other water bodies are receiving such pollution. This needs to be addressed on a war footing, using indigenous technology wherever viable or such other technology but no drop of sewage can be allowed to be mixed in drinking water.

Also Read: Centre Approves Proposal To Transform Plastic Waste Into Flower Pots In West Bengal’s Hills 

It said there is no justification for the delay in remedial action having regard to adverse impact on biodiversity and citizens’ right of access to drinking water.

Meaningful implementation of citizens’ right to a clean environment, which is part of the right to life, and a significant facet of sustainable development cannot be wished away, the bench said.

The bench said,

We hope that the ministries (concerned) of the central government will perform their statutory obligation under the rules, apart from monitoring compliance by the concerned states/UTs.

During the proceedings, the tribunal noted that it had dealt with the matter regarding the acknowledged gaps in solid and liquid waste generation and treatment by 28 states and eight UTs and determined compensation on the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

It noted while environmental compensation was directed to be paid or levied on some states and UTs, others had undertaken to deposit the amount in a separate ring-fenced account.

The total environmental compensation was Rs 79,234.36 crore. Out of the 28 states and eight UTs, however, the UTs of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu along with the state of Goa were not directed to pay compensation, the tribunal noted. The tribunal said,

Idea of environmental compensation is to require remediation, fix accountability for past failures and ensure restoration in enforcing citizens’ right to a clean environment and protect public health and it is hoped this step if duly implemented, will help provide a clean environment and achieve sustainable development goals and add to efforts of preventing climate change

Also Read: In A Message To Sustainability, PM Modi Wears Jacket Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ populationindigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diarrhoea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.

Highlights: Banega Swasth India Launches Season 10

Reckitt’s Commitment To A Better Future

India’s Unsung Heroes

Women’s Health

हिंदी में पढ़ें

This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics

© Copyright NDTV Convergence Limited 2024. All rights reserved.