Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
There are no “live dumpsites” in Kerala and 18 of the 44 identified legacy dumpsites are remediated, stated the Kerala government in its status report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Bio-mining of legacy waste is at various stages in the remaining 26 dumpsites. Some six sites with huge volumes of wastes are undergoing bio-remediation, stated the report submitted November, 10, 2022. Bio-mining and bio-remediation are waste management techniques that involve the use of micro-organisms.
The report also informed the NGT about the status of solid, non-biodegradable, biodegradable, liquid and industrial waste management.
Faecal sludge treatment projects in the state are hampered by the non-availability of land, primarily due to local agitations and resistance, it added. The government will explore the scope of degraded lands and quarries for establishing such projects, the report added.
The Madhya Pradesh government will abide by its commitment to spend Rs 4,657 crore for scientifically treating wastewater, the state’s chief secretary told the NGT.
The government has to make meaningful progress in the matter in the next six months, the tribunal noted November 10.
The bench of judges Adarsh Kumar Goel and Sudhir Agarwal took note of the successful waste management model at Indore and asked the chief secretary to assist other states in training and capacity building.
Monnet Daniels Coal Washery, operating in Jharkhand’s Ranchi district, has violated environmental norms, stated a joint committee in its report to the NGT.
Coal washeries are facilities that use a combination of sorting, blending and washing procedures to lower the ash content in coal.The NGT had directed the constitution of the committee in response to an application.
“The project proponent is continuously violating provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and is also contaminating the water by discharging untreated effluents in Sonadubi river,” the petitioner had stated.
A large quantity of coal was stocked in the project area, the committee said after visiting the site. Coal stocks were observed outside the project area and coal dust and broken coal was also observed on the road, the report stated.
“Coal wastes were kept near the washing unit in the project area without any proper safeguards,” the report added.
Bank of Sonadubi river is within 20-21 metres from the site and a large quantity of coal was observed on the slope facing the river, the report said.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.