Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 and its implementation

The Environment Ministry revised Solid Waste Management Rules after 16 years in the month of April 2017. Addressing a press conference to announce the revised Rules, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar said that the Rules will now be applicable beyond municipal areas. Proper waste disposal and management are one of the biggest problems in India. These new rules are a revamped version of the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules 2000. According to a report by the Press Information Bureau, 62 million tonnes of waste is generated annually in the country at present, out of which 5.6 million tonnes is the plastic waste, 0.17 million tonnes is the biomedical waste, hazardous waste generation is 7.90 million tonnes per annum and 15 lakh tonne is e-waste. The per capita waste generation in Indian cities ranges from 200 grams to 600 grams per day. 43 million TPA is collected, 11.9 million is treated and 31 million is dumped in landfill sites, which means that only about 75-80% of the municipal waste gets collected and only 22-28 % of this waste is processed and treated. The Government has also constituted a Central Monitoring Committee under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to monitor the overall implementation of the Rules. The Committee comprises the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Ministry of Agriculture, Central Pollution Control Board etc. Some of the features (According to PIB): The jurisdiction of the rules have been extended beyond the Municipal area to cover, outgrowths in urban agglomerations, census towns, notified industrial townships, areas under the control of Indian Railways, airports etc. Every waste generator shall segregate and store the waste generated by them in three separate streams namely bio‐degradable, non‐bio‐ degradable and domestic hazardous wastes in suitable bins. Handover segregated wastes to authorized rag‐pickers or waste collectors. The manufacturers or Brand owners of sanitary napkins and diapers shall provide a pouch or wrapper for disposal of each napkin or diapers along with the packet of their sanitary products. Detailed duties and responsibilities have been assigned to the Secretary, State Urban Development Department etc. They are responsible for preparation of state policy and solid waste management strategy in consultation with stakeholders including a representative of waste pickers, self‐help group and similar groups working in the field of waste management. A time frame was set for the implementation of the new rules for different purposes. A proper review of the implementation was promised at various levels. Current scenario: As of now, the Noida authority and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) have failed to enforce solid waste management rules, 2016, despite the rising level of air pollution that is affecting the public. (Hindustan Times) Noida generates 660 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste that is dumped in vacant plots and remains unattended along roadsides for days. In Bhubaneswar, the government will enforce a new solid waste management rules in the city making citizens responsible for household waste. The housing and urban development department has drafted bylaws under the Centre's Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. (The Telegraph) Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) is planning to implement Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 strictly in Jamshedpur. From 15th November onwards, stringent action would be taken against those flouting the rules. In Mumbai, as per the new circular issued by the municipal commissioner under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, ALMs ( Advance Locality Management) that have not done any significant job in the past one year will be deregistered immediately. The implementation so far has not been too successful but it seems to be taking some shape. We can hope for better results slowly and steadily. In the meantime, we can do our bit as individuals to accelerate the process. We can start by segregating our household waste depending on the nature of the waste, whether biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Also, ensure proper disposal of the same.

NIS

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