In a bid to ensure effective management of waste (collection, transportation and disposal) through collective approach within the urban vicinities, experts, bureaucrats, members of the civil society shared their views during the two-day deliberation on Waste Management Rules, 2016 inaugurated here on Wednesday, emphasising on inclusive, equal participation of all to achieve the desired results.
The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized workshop with an objective to accelerate the efforts for waste recycling and resource efficiency in eastern regions. In 2016, Government of India revised the regulations for management of Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, e-Waste, Hazardous Waste, Biomedical waste, along with introducing Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules 2016.
During the inaugural session, Director – State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), Amit Kumar stated that Jharkhand has notified its solid waste management rules, drafted liquid waste management rules while stringent norms have been adopted to ban manufacture, sale and purchase of plastic. As per an estimate, 2100 TPD is generated per day from all 41 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Kumar further added that the concepts of ‘Smart Bins’ have been introduced at Ranchi, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur whereas a framework is being prepared regarding the concept ‘Plastic Credit’ which involves the engagement of scrap workers, rag pickers etc.
Chairperson, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) AK Rastogi, sharing his insights about hazardous waste said that attempts are being made to create free online portal for uploading and sharing the details of bio-medical waste as well as solid and hazardous wastes. Rastogi added that as per the JSPCB record, 2.5 hectic tonne of bio-medical waste is collected per day. At present, bio-waste medical treatment plants are at only three districts namely – Ramgarh, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur. Expressing his disconcert, the JSPCB added that even government hospitals have not taken the permission for setting up biomedical waste treatment plants. Rastogi asserted that steps are being taken for installation of electronic waste (e-waste) units at the 24 districts of Jharkhand. One e-waste unit has been established at Ramgarh.
The experts further articulated their concerns regarding implementation and monitoring of rules. Officials spoke about the insufficient administrative backup, besides the lack of institutional set up and capacity building. Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of the Forest Force (HoFF) quoted that while drafting rules, it must be ensured that it is simple while overlapping of norms must be avoided. Capacity of stakeholders should be analyzed too.
Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change said that there still exist a gap between intent and delivery. “Lack of capacities, continuous pressure of delivering, at time, creates confusion,” Chaturvedi added. He also spoke about coordination and certification issues including alternate management.
The rules have identified a wide range of stakeholders for ensuring effective management of waste, through a collaborative approach. In accordance to the resource personnel, it is important to facilitate discussions amongst respective state government authorities, Industry and civil society, so that better synergies can be developed.
Ritesh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, GoI on the occasion assured all kind of assistance to the States. All significant authorities from the state governments of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal were on the occasion.