Why in News
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has devised an action plan for prevention of illegal interstate movement of solid waste from Kerala to Tamil Nadu.
Following a directive from the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which is hearing a suo motu case against the illegal dumping of waste from Kerala near Anamalai, Tamil Nadu, the CPCB made field visits, met several stakeholders, and held high-level consultation meetings with the pollution control boards of both the States
Why illegal solid waste movement occurs
CPCB observed significant gaps in Kerala’s solid waste management such as limited collection of solid waste (the State’s average waste collection being only 30%), unavailability of inventory on solid waste management with the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), inadequate facilities for the management of solid waste, and absence of a system to monitor waste movement checks at interstate borders both on the side of Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Action Plan
In the action plan submitted to the NGT, the Kerala SPCB has been asked to ensure that all local bodies prepare a detailed inventory of the waste management system in their jurisdiction.
To strengthen the capacity of solid waste management, the CPCB has directed Kerala’s Suchitwa Mission — the technical support group for waste management —
to identify the gaps in solid waste management specifically with respect to non-recyclable wastes;
prepare a detailed project report for setting up of adequate treatment and disposal facility
ensure only well-equipped waste agencies are empanelled to provide services to local bodies.
Furthermore, the CPCB has asked the Clean Kerala Company Limited, a government agency responsible for the comprehensive management of dry wastes (both recyclable and non-recyclable), to develop adequate facilities for the management of these wastes and also obtain requisite permission from Kerala SPCB.
The action plan also stresses on better management of biomedical waste and developing an online tracking system to ensure waste generators/receivers/transporters are registered
Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB)
CPCB is a statutory organisation which was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
It was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.
to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.
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