Produce It, Dump It, FORGET IT
That’s What Goa Does With The Hundreds Of Tonnes Of Garbage It Produces Every Day. Some Positives Are There But Experts Warn We May Be Sitting On An Environmental Time-Bomb
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa’s homes produce 300 tonnes of garbage daily. More bio-medical waste comes from the hospitals and nursing homes. But most of this waste — some of it potentially hazardous to the environment — is dumped all over the state without any regard to the norms, some of which are a decade old.
Only five towns — Panaji, Bicholim, Mormugao, Canacona and Margao — have dumping grounds right now and these, too, are more than 75 per cent full. “We are staring at a real problem,” environmentalist Clinton Vaz said. “Even these towns, which have dumping grounds, are operating without safety precautions. They should be closed down and remedial measures should be taken immediately,” he added.
The other towns and villages do not even have a dumping ground; waste is dumped wherever possible, often in rivers and the backwaters, resulting in these water bodies choking and causing floods during the monsoon.
The bio-medical waste that Goa’s healthcare centres produce top the list of environmental concerns.
Only Goa Medical College and Hospital has the wherewithal to dispose of biomedical waste properly right now; it treats its own waste and that which comes from the two district hospitals (Asilo Hospital in Mapusa and Hospicio Hospital in Margao).
But this does not take into account the tonnes of bio-medical waste generated by Goa's 19 government primary health centres and 123 private nursing homes and hospitals. The PHCs dump their waste on their premises itself. Most of the private hospitals and nursing homes do the same or dispose of the waste with the other garbage that goes to municipality dumps; and not one of Goa’s towns has the wherewithal to segregate biomedical waste from other waste. This is extremely dangerous for Goans and Goa’s environment, say experts.
“Bio-medical waste, if not treated properly, can lead to disease outbreaks. Toxic waste can contaminate the water table during monsoon,” Goa State Pollution Control Board memeber-secretary Ashok Daiwajna said. Garbage is often burnt and the fumes can cause rashes and respiratory problems. Environmental activist Patricia Pinto agreed: “The toxic waste seeping into the groundwater can contaminate wells.”
Environmentalists are not painting an unnecessarily nightmarish picture; this has already happened in Curca. Garbage from both Panaji and Mapusa was being dumped in a land-fill site there without being treated. The site soon overflowed with garbage — it was meant to take garbage only from Panaji — and it started to be burnt. Very soon, the inevitable happened; waste seeped into the ground, contaminating wells and destroying fields. Residents there now drink tanker water.
The Curca problem has had a direct consequence. No town or village now wants a dump in its backyard and the administration has had a tough time scouring for vacant areas for land-fill sites for garbage.
“It’s extremely sad that compliance has not been achieved despite the High Court of Bombay at Goa directing the state director of health services to ensure that establishments covered by the Bio-medical Waste Management and Handling Rules-1998 complied with the rules in six months," environment lawyer Norma Alvares said.
2008 May 08 Times Of India Goa
Showing posts with label garbage disposal ;Goa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garbage disposal ;Goa. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
landfill sites in Goa
PANJIM: Taking serious note of the increasing garbage menace in the state, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has asked the two municipal councils – Curchorem and Cuncolim – to call a meeting of the Chief Officer of the Municipal Council, Director of Municipal Administration and a officer of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to select the landfill site. This has to be done within 10 days.
Further, the Court also recorded that in respect of the 11 municipal councils, sites have been identified and approved, while in respect of 2, the approved sites for garbage treatment in a scientific manner and in accordance with Municipal Solid Waste Rules was rejected by the Gram sabha.
Of the 11 sites, which were identified, in 3 of the sites the acquisition has been complete, in 3 acquisition has to be initiated and in 4 other, the acquisition is still to be initiated.
The High Court has asked the government to initiate and complete acquisition in respect of the seven municipal councils.
It must be recalled that majority of proposals for landfill sites were pending either on account of public opposition or opposition of panchayat or rejection of the permission from Goa State Pollution Control Board.
While the Chief Officer of Mormugao Municipal Council stated that they have already set up a waste treatment plant at Sada, Vasco for composting of municipal waste through microbial composting method, Chief Officer of Bicholim Municipal Council had submitted that they have identified a landfill site at Bordem, Bicholim. Deputy Collector of Ponda stated that they have identified land at Keriyan, Khandepar village and the Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council said that they have selected a site at Cuchelim village. Even the case of Panjim is no different. Land acquisition at Bainguinim has been kept on hold due to people's opposition.
Further, the Court also recorded that in respect of the 11 municipal councils, sites have been identified and approved, while in respect of 2, the approved sites for garbage treatment in a scientific manner and in accordance with Municipal Solid Waste Rules was rejected by the Gram sabha.
Of the 11 sites, which were identified, in 3 of the sites the acquisition has been complete, in 3 acquisition has to be initiated and in 4 other, the acquisition is still to be initiated.
The High Court has asked the government to initiate and complete acquisition in respect of the seven municipal councils.
It must be recalled that majority of proposals for landfill sites were pending either on account of public opposition or opposition of panchayat or rejection of the permission from Goa State Pollution Control Board.
While the Chief Officer of Mormugao Municipal Council stated that they have already set up a waste treatment plant at Sada, Vasco for composting of municipal waste through microbial composting method, Chief Officer of Bicholim Municipal Council had submitted that they have identified a landfill site at Bordem, Bicholim. Deputy Collector of Ponda stated that they have identified land at Keriyan, Khandepar village and the Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council said that they have selected a site at Cuchelim village. Even the case of Panjim is no different. Land acquisition at Bainguinim has been kept on hold due to people's opposition.
Curca garbage case
PANJIM: High Court has granted one-week's time to the state government to decide whether they should go ahead with the capping of Curca site or opt for another proposal to shift the garbage to another site before the following monsoon .
The Division bench granted a week's time on Advocate General Subodh Kantak's request.
It must be recalled that on September 25, 2006, in the minutes of order submitted to the Court, all parties concerned with the Curca garbage site - the Curca villagers (petitioners) and respondent state government, Corporation of City of Panjim (CCP) and Goa State Urban Development Authority (GSUDA) – had agreed to go ahead with capping the site. The work was estimated to be completed by May 30, 2007 and the expenditure sanctioned was Rs 1,09,64,625.
Later, GSUDA postponed the work of capping Curca and said that it would be completed by March 31, 2008.
The Division bench granted a week's time on Advocate General Subodh Kantak's request.
It must be recalled that on September 25, 2006, in the minutes of order submitted to the Court, all parties concerned with the Curca garbage site - the Curca villagers (petitioners) and respondent state government, Corporation of City of Panjim (CCP) and Goa State Urban Development Authority (GSUDA) – had agreed to go ahead with capping the site. The work was estimated to be completed by May 30, 2007 and the expenditure sanctioned was Rs 1,09,64,625.
Later, GSUDA postponed the work of capping Curca and said that it would be completed by March 31, 2008.
Garbage problem in Goa
PANJIM: With the municipal councils and corporation failing to comply with the order of High Court of Bombay at Goa, which directed them to commission the landfill sites in 14 municipal areas in a scientific manner and in accordance with Municipal Solid Waste Rules by October.
This was brought to the notice of the Court by Amicus curiae Norma Alvares, to which the Court observed that there appears to be a total failure on the part of the administration. With no solution to Goa's garbage woes, has asked the Advocate General Subodh Kantak to hold a meeting of the counsels of the various municipal corporation and councils.
The Division bench of Justice FI Rebello and Justice NA Britto suggested this after considering varied positions of the councils and corporation, which revealed that except for Mapusa and Panjim, which has sent their proposal to the government, all other proposals were pending either on account of public opposition or opposition of panchayat or rejection of the permission from Goa State Pollution Control Board.
While the Chief Officer of Mormugao Municipal Council stated that they have already set up a waste treatment plant at Sada, Vasco for composting of municipal waste through microbial composting method, Chief Officer of Bicholim Municipal Council submitted that they have identified a landfill site at Bordem, Bicholim, where they intend to set up a composting plant and the government has initiated land acquisition proceedings in respect of the said land.
While Deputy Collector of Ponda stated that they have identified land at Keriyan, Khandepar village but waiting for construction license from Curti Khandepar panchayat, the Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council said that they have selected a site at Cuchelim village, which has got all necessary permissions and now the North Goa Collector has started the land acquisition process. On the other hand, the Chief Officer of Cuncolim Municipal Council informed that the people of Ambaulim village, where the garbage treatment plant was to be set up, were opposing it and now the Council has identified a new site for treatment and disposal of solid waste in Cuncolim village.
Even the case of Panjim is no different. AG informed the Court that land acquisition at Bainguinim has been kept on hold due to people's opposition. Then the Court wanted to know from the counsel for Corporation of City of Panaji as to why they are trying to set up a landfill site in Bainguinim when the committee appointed by the Court did not suggest the site at Bainguinim.
The Court has asked the government to see immediate action is taken to set up garbage treatment plant and the emergency clause of Land Acquisition Act is made applicable for the same.
This was brought to the notice of the Court by Amicus curiae Norma Alvares, to which the Court observed that there appears to be a total failure on the part of the administration. With no solution to Goa's garbage woes, has asked the Advocate General Subodh Kantak to hold a meeting of the counsels of the various municipal corporation and councils.
The Division bench of Justice FI Rebello and Justice NA Britto suggested this after considering varied positions of the councils and corporation, which revealed that except for Mapusa and Panjim, which has sent their proposal to the government, all other proposals were pending either on account of public opposition or opposition of panchayat or rejection of the permission from Goa State Pollution Control Board.
While the Chief Officer of Mormugao Municipal Council stated that they have already set up a waste treatment plant at Sada, Vasco for composting of municipal waste through microbial composting method, Chief Officer of Bicholim Municipal Council submitted that they have identified a landfill site at Bordem, Bicholim, where they intend to set up a composting plant and the government has initiated land acquisition proceedings in respect of the said land.
While Deputy Collector of Ponda stated that they have identified land at Keriyan, Khandepar village but waiting for construction license from Curti Khandepar panchayat, the Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council said that they have selected a site at Cuchelim village, which has got all necessary permissions and now the North Goa Collector has started the land acquisition process. On the other hand, the Chief Officer of Cuncolim Municipal Council informed that the people of Ambaulim village, where the garbage treatment plant was to be set up, were opposing it and now the Council has identified a new site for treatment and disposal of solid waste in Cuncolim village.
Even the case of Panjim is no different. AG informed the Court that land acquisition at Bainguinim has been kept on hold due to people's opposition. Then the Court wanted to know from the counsel for Corporation of City of Panaji as to why they are trying to set up a landfill site in Bainguinim when the committee appointed by the Court did not suggest the site at Bainguinim.
The Court has asked the government to see immediate action is taken to set up garbage treatment plant and the emergency clause of Land Acquisition Act is made applicable for the same.
Garbage woes:Panaji
PANJIM: Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), which is faced with its ever increasing garbage woes, got some respite from the High Court, as the Court gave them time till December 20 to remove garbage dumped at EDC complex.
However, the Court made it clear to the CCP that they wouldn't be given any more time to remove the garbage from EDC complex.
CCP in its application for extension of time said that though they commenced work on removal of the waste, there were intervening spells of heavy rains, which directly affected and stalled the said works. CCP further submitted that due to heavy rainfall, which extended for a prolonged period, the accumulated waste is full of moisture and the same needs to be dried before transporting.
CCP admitted to the Court that these intervening circumstances were not anticipated and have a completely hampered the removal of waste works and admitted that under these circumstances the removal of waste cannot be completed by November 20 and sought further extension of 30 days for removal of the waste. It must be recalled that on a public interest litigation filed by the LIC Employees Union, the CCP had on October 17 given an undertaking to the Court that they would remove all the garbage dumped at the EDC complex at Patto by November 20.
Counsel for the LIC employees, Aires Rodrigues informed the Court that the CCP had not removed any garbage dumped and that the people working at EDC complex had to bear the stench for the last one year due to CCP's dumped garbage at Patto in rank violation of law.
However, the Court made it clear to the CCP that they wouldn't be given any more time to remove the garbage from EDC complex.
CCP in its application for extension of time said that though they commenced work on removal of the waste, there were intervening spells of heavy rains, which directly affected and stalled the said works. CCP further submitted that due to heavy rainfall, which extended for a prolonged period, the accumulated waste is full of moisture and the same needs to be dried before transporting.
CCP admitted to the Court that these intervening circumstances were not anticipated and have a completely hampered the removal of waste works and admitted that under these circumstances the removal of waste cannot be completed by November 20 and sought further extension of 30 days for removal of the waste. It must be recalled that on a public interest litigation filed by the LIC Employees Union, the CCP had on October 17 given an undertaking to the Court that they would remove all the garbage dumped at the EDC complex at Patto by November 20.
Counsel for the LIC employees, Aires Rodrigues informed the Court that the CCP had not removed any garbage dumped and that the people working at EDC complex had to bear the stench for the last one year due to CCP's dumped garbage at Patto in rank violation of law.
26 coastal village panchayats in Goa have been made party in a PIL on garbage disposal
PANJIM: The 26 coastal village panchayats in the state have been made party in a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning garbage disposal by the High Court of Bombay at Goa and they have been asked to file their reply within 2 weeks.
Further, the coastal village panchayats have been asked to file an affidavit by the Court in regard to identification of land for garbage disposal site or obtaining administrative approval for the site in accordance with Rural Garbage Disposal Scheme, 2005, even as the municipal councils were given six weeks time to file an affidavit.
The Court has asked the Goa government and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has to come out with a scheme of recycling within six weeks.
Meanwhile, the Director of Panchayat, in his affidavit has disclosed the status of the applications filed by 189 village panchayats in the state. While 38 village panchayats have applied for authorization, 65 village panchayats have been granted authorization, 62 village panchayats applications have been rejected on various grounds, 11 village panchayats applications are pending decision and 51 village panchayats have not applied for authorization.
Acting on a High Court order of September 18, 2007, a memorandum was issued to all Block Development Officers (BDOs), who were directed to immediately convene a meeting of all the village panchayats which have not identified the land sites and all those panchayats whose proposals have been rejected by GSPCB, so as to direct them to immediately identify the land sites and forward the same to GSPCB for obtaining clearance.
The BDOs were asked to submit the action taken by them in respect of those proposals that have been cleared by GSPCB in processing the proposals seeking administrative approve acquisition of land. Further, a circular was issued directing village panchayats to implement the Rural Garbage Scheme, 2005.
Incidentally, Amicus Curiae Norma Alvares brought to the notice of the Court that the affidavit reveals that till date the Director have not been intimated about any fresh proposals made by village panchayats and GSPCB seeking its approval in respect of sites for disposal of waste nor have they received from any village panchayats, who have obtained clearance from GSPCB, an proposal for administrative approval.
Further, the coastal village panchayats have been asked to file an affidavit by the Court in regard to identification of land for garbage disposal site or obtaining administrative approval for the site in accordance with Rural Garbage Disposal Scheme, 2005, even as the municipal councils were given six weeks time to file an affidavit.
The Court has asked the Goa government and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has to come out with a scheme of recycling within six weeks.
Meanwhile, the Director of Panchayat, in his affidavit has disclosed the status of the applications filed by 189 village panchayats in the state. While 38 village panchayats have applied for authorization, 65 village panchayats have been granted authorization, 62 village panchayats applications have been rejected on various grounds, 11 village panchayats applications are pending decision and 51 village panchayats have not applied for authorization.
Acting on a High Court order of September 18, 2007, a memorandum was issued to all Block Development Officers (BDOs), who were directed to immediately convene a meeting of all the village panchayats which have not identified the land sites and all those panchayats whose proposals have been rejected by GSPCB, so as to direct them to immediately identify the land sites and forward the same to GSPCB for obtaining clearance.
The BDOs were asked to submit the action taken by them in respect of those proposals that have been cleared by GSPCB in processing the proposals seeking administrative approve acquisition of land. Further, a circular was issued directing village panchayats to implement the Rural Garbage Scheme, 2005.
Incidentally, Amicus Curiae Norma Alvares brought to the notice of the Court that the affidavit reveals that till date the Director have not been intimated about any fresh proposals made by village panchayats and GSPCB seeking its approval in respect of sites for disposal of waste nor have they received from any village panchayats, who have obtained clearance from GSPCB, an proposal for administrative approval.
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