Growing volumes of solid and hazardous wastes have emerged as a major threat to the environment and sustainable development in the State.
According to experts’ estimates, around 70 million tonnes of wastes are released from the industrial setups every year in the State while approximately 25 million tonnes ash is emitted annually from 58 existing small and big thermal power plants.
Although, the wastes have less possibility of containing active chemicals, they are filled with the harmful chemicals like silica, alumina and calcium.
As per the MoUs signed with the State Government, 24 more thermal power plants will be set up in Odisha for power generation. Once the power projects become operational, around 95 million tonnes ash will be discharged, sources in the Forest and Environment Department said.
Around 50 per cent of the emitted fly ash is being used in filling the mining pits, making of bricks and road constructions.
The fertiliser plants in the State are emitting annually 6 million tonne Phosphogypsum. Only 20 per cent of it is being used in making cement and bricks while 80 per cent wastes lie near the ponds.
Similarly, around 7 million tonnes waste material red silt is being released annually from the aluminium refineries.
Normally, the red silt is not required for any purpose and plant officials simply dispose it. Many a time, the waste impacts farm land when the pond embankments breach.
Similarly, around 12 million tonnes dulquer and dust are discharged from sponge iron plants out of which few wastes are being used in reproduction of power and the plant authorities cover the remaining with soil.
Around 6 million tonnes slag is emitted annually from the blast furnace of the steel plants in the State.
Only 4 million tonnes wastes are used in making of slug cement. While 2 million tonnes slug is released from the steel induction furnaces of the steel plants, some portion of the slug is used in filling the shallow land and road construction.
As a major portion of the wastes lie unused and is likely to cause serious hazards in future, sources added.
As measures to contain environment pollution remains inadequate, the ground water and almost all the rivers are becoming polluted.
Experts apprehend impact on crop production and rise in temperature if sufficient efforts are delayed.