Question : Detection of micro-plastics in ground water

(a) whether the National Green Tribunal has been alarmed to see reports that micro-plastics were being detected in ground water samples taken from wells near the dump yards;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise in the last four years and current year;
(c) whether these dump yards lack proper scientific disposals, if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;
(d) the violations noticed/cases booked/action taken/ penalties imposed and purpose for which such penalties are used; and
(e) the steps being taken by the States and others including concerned companies/PSUs to dispose off the dump yards legacy waste and methods adopted in Andhra Pradesh during the last five years till date?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b) Hon’ble NGT in its Order dated 16.06.2021 in O.A No. 99/2021 has referred to the article published in Times of India dated 15.06.2021 and observed that micro-plastics have been seen in the groundwater samples near the dump yards in Chennai and other suburb areas.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors ambient water quality under National Water Quality Monitoring Program (NWMP) for the specific sets of parameters identified and micro-plastics is not a part of parameter identified for monitoring.

(c) Unscientifically designed solid waste dump site has potential to contaminate ground water and necessary provisions to contain and regulate the impact have been made in Solid Waste Management (SBM) Rules, 2016, including management of legacy waste.
Total solid waste generation in the country is 150847 TPD, out of which 146053.8 TPD is collected, 70973.2 TPD is treated and 40863.2 TPD goes to landfills. There are 3074 dumpsites in the country. State wise details of such dumpsites is enclosed at Annexure-1.

(d) Hon’ble NGT Vide order dated 02.07.2020 in O.A No. 606/2018 directed Local Body to pay compensation at the rate of Rs. 10 lakh per month per Local Body for population of above 10 lakhs, Rs. 5 lakh per month per Local Body for population between 5 lakhs and 10 lakhs and Rs. 1 lakh per month per other Local Body from 01.04.2020 for continued failure to comply with SWM Rules. Further, local Body which fails to commence the work of legacy waste sites remediation from 01.04.2020 shall be liable to compensation at the rate of Rs. 10 lakh per month per Local Body for population of above 10 lakhs, Rs. 5 lakh per month per Local Body for population between 5 lakhs and 10 lakhs and Rs. 1 lakh per month per other Local Body till compliance.

(e) CPCB issued Directions on 27.01.2021, under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for enforcement of provision of Solid Waste Management (Rule), 2016 regarding bio-mining of legacy waste. Also, in compliance of Hon’ble NGT matter of OA no. 606/2018, SPCBs/PCCs have been directed to manage the solid waste in their corresponding State/UT.

About 118 Lakh Tonnes of legacy waste is accumulated in existing dumpsites of Andhra Pradesh. Two ULBs (Vijaywada and Tirupati Municipal Corporations) have completed the removal of legacy waste by following bio-mining process.

In Andhra Pradesh, 34 ULBs are connected to Cement Factories for Refuse Derived fuel (RDF) treatment. At present 49 centralised waste to compost/bio-cng projects are awarded in the state under DBOT (design-build-operate-transfer) basis. Three Construction and Demolition waste processing plants in Greater Visakhapatnam, Vijaywada and Tirupati Municipal Corporations are operational.

*****