NGT penalises Delhi govt for failing to manage waste at landfill sites

NGT penalises Delhi govt for failing to manage waste at landfill sites

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine on the Delhi government for mismanagement of waste at landfill sites.

  • About 80% of the old waste at the Ghazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla landfill sites in Delhi has not yet been properly disposed of.
  • As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, only non-recyclable, non-biodegradable and non-combustible wastes are allowed to be deposited in sanitary landfills.
  • According to the CPCB, the total amount of solid waste generated in the country in the year 2020-21 was 6 lakh tons per day. Of this, 1.5 lakh tons of waste is collected daily at a collection efficiency of 95.4%.

Challenges in the disposal of solid waste in India-

  • Lack of funds to solve MSW problem.
  • Poor implementation of rules and regulations.
  • Unplanned separation facility and no segregation at source.
  • Lack of trained workforce.

Harmful effects of improper treatment of solid waste-

  • Toxic gases such as methane are released from landfills. This may cause a fire.
  • Serious health effects such as birth defects, low birth weight, etc. arise in the surrounding areas. Harmful chemicals leak into the land and water supply.

Remedial Methods of Solid Waste Disposal –

  • Incineration: In this, organic matter is burnt. This generates surface ash, flue gas, particulate matter, heat etc. They can be used to generate electricity.
  • Gasification: This is the process of converting organic or fossil-based carbonaceous materials into carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide at high temperatures (>700 °C). It does not use a combustion system. Instead, controlled amounts of oxygen and/or steam are used.
  • Pyrolysis: In this, the waste/material is combusted at high temperature and in the absence of oxygen.

Source – The Hindu

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