Dismal picture on solid waste mgmt by some civic bodies: Govt

A recent inspection has brought out a "dismal" picture of negligence by some civic bodies in dealing with the issue of solid waste management, the Environment Ministry today said, while asserting that it will finalise rules to manage it by the end of this year.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also issued notices to 184 towns to comply with Water Pollution Control Act and rules related to municipal solid waste management as they were found not giving attention to ensuring proper management of domestic and municipal waste, the ministry said.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar also said that 'Swacchh Bharat' campaign cannot happen without the wholehearted participation of civic bodies and gram Panchayats.

"We are also finalising waste management rules and will be publishing these rules by the year-end. Our inspection has brought to the fore a dismal picture of negligence by some municipalities towards municipal solid waste management," Javadekar said in a statement.
In the 184 towns, CPCB has found that the sewage is disposed off into rivers, lakes or allowed to seep into the groundwater which has resulted in worsening of groundwater quality and caused many water-borne diseases.
"CPCB has issued statutory notices to 184 towns to statutorily comply with Water Pollution Control Act and rules relating to Municipal Solid Waste Management," the statement said.

It said that the sanctity of Ganga and other rivers has been affected because of presence of fecal coliform bacteria due to disposal of untreated or partially-treated domestic sewage.

CPCB has also observed that out of 62,000 million litre of sewage generated in the country, treatment capacity of 23,277 MLD has been provided which amounts to less than 30 per cent, the Environment Ministry said.
CPCB has issued directions under the Water Act and Environment Protection Act (EPA) to cities with population of over 46 million, 20 state capitals and 118 towns located on river Ganga.
"With these directions, approximately 13 crore population residing in 184 towns will benefit from cleanliness in terms of sewage and solid waste management.

"These directions under the Act are statutory and non-compliance of these directives will attract legal proceedings under the law," the statement said.