Ban On Burning Waste
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a complete ban on burning of waste in open places and announced a fine of Rs. 25,000 on each incident of bulk waste burning on lands, including at landfill sites.
Penalty for transgression
For each such incident, violators, including project proponent, concessionaire, any person or body responsible for such burning, shall be liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs. 5,000 in case of simple burning, while Rs. 25,000 in case of bulk waste burning.
Ban on PVC and its directions to states
While directing every State and Union Territory to enforce and implement Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the green panel also asked the Environment Ministry and all States to pass appropriate directions in relation to the ban on short-life Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and chlorinated plastics within a period of six months.
The action plan would relate to the management and disposal of waste in the entire State. The steps are required to be taken in a time-bound manner.
Plants for processing and disposal of waste and selection and specifications of landfill sites which have to be constructed, be prepared and maintained strictly in accordance with the Rules of 2016.
On Waste segregation
It further held that non-biodegradable waste and non-recyclable plastic should be segregated from the landfill sites and used for construction of roads and embankments in all road projects.
Criticism
All too often, cleaning up the environment becomes a matter of punitive actions directed by the courts - including the NGT - or short-sighted policies. It is not difficult to see why the air in the country remains unclean and the rivers remain dirty even after a plethora of court directives and government policies.
The green tribunal had passed a similar order in April 2015. But reportedly, fines imposed by municipalities, in pursuance of the NGT order, did precious little to curb the problem of open waste burning.
Dealing with the problem requires concerted efforts involving municipalities, resident welfare and business associations, individual households and private garbage disposal agencies.