(a) whether it has been brought to the notice of the Government that some foreign companies have dumped their
hazardous waste in the coastal areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the Union Government has instructed the respective State to ensure that coastal areas are not
misused by these companies; and
(d) the action taken by the State Governments in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (d): According to the Department of Customs, no instance of foreign countries dumping their hazardous
wastes in the coastal areas has been reported.
However, two cases of import of waste paper mixed with non biodegradable municipal solid wastes and a third case
of e-waste from Kuwait were detected by the Customs Authorities during the last three years. All the consignments
have been re-exported, as per provisions of the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary
Movements) Rules, 2008.
Import of wastes is not allowed for dumping / disposal purposes in India as per the provisions of the Hazardous
Wastes (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movements) Rules, 2008. However, import of recyclable wastes
like plastics, paper wastes and metal scrap conforming to the specifications mentioned in the Rules is allowed
for recycling by the actual users who have the necessary approval from the concerned authorities.
Further, the ministry has constituted a co-ordination committee including representatives from the Department
of Revenue, DGFT, Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Boards and Experts to oversee the
implementation of the provisions laid down in the Rules, specially related to import and export of hazardous
wastes. The Rules require all consignments to be accompanied by a pre shipment inspection certificate/test report
from an accredited laboratory and a movement document. The Customs authorities are required to take random
samples for the consignments to prevent misdeclaration.