Question : DUMPING OF GARBAGE

(a) whether 105 countries are dumping their garbage & chemical wastes in India every year;

(b) whether the dumping of chemical wastes is having an adverse effect on our environment;

(c) if so, the action taken by the Government during the last three years;

(d) whether the Government has prepared a report on the poisonous gas emission from chemical wastes and their effects on human life;

(e) if so, the detailed plan of the Government in this regard;

(f) the estimated quantity produced in India itself; and

(g) the quantity of waste recycle here?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (Sh. NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) to (c) As per the Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989 amended 2000 and 2003 and the Export and Import Policy, 2004-2009 amended from time to time, import of garbage and chemical waste for dumping are prohibited. No report of such dumping has been received by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

(d) & (e) The hazardous wastes, as defined in the Hazardous Wastes Rules, are required to be disposed of after treatment as prescribed and such wastes when disposed of do not emit any poisonous gas.

(f) & (g) As per the report of the High Power Committee (HPC) on management of hazardous wastes, about 4.4 million tones of hazardous wastes are estimated to be generated every year in the country, of which approximately 39% is recyclable.