The Hindu Business Line : Import of waste should be banned: Heptulla

Chennai, Sept. 18 Importing of waste of any nature should be banned, according to the Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation, Dr Najma A Heptulla.

Addressing the media here, she said the committee held meetings today with representative of oil companies, port, public sector undertakings, State Government and Ministry of Environment and Forest, on the Hazardous Materials (Management and Transboundary Movement) Draft Rules, 2007.

She said the Committee was shocked to learn that thousands of tonnes of municipal and hazardous wastes were being dumped on Indian coasts. In Tamil Nadu alone about 50,000 tonnes of e-waste were dumped last year. The US and the UK offloaded about 8.75 lakh tonne of municipal waste in India, she added.

Those companies that import waste for recycling purposes could do so at the country of origin and “why should they import waste and recycle in India,” she questioned. By way of recycling, municipal, hazardous and e-wastes enter the country and hamper ecological balance and lifestyle of citizens, she said. With huge population India is already generating adequate waste, which can be recycled, she pointed out.

Expressing concern on growing imports of wastes making India as dumping yard of the world, Dr Heptulla urged all the stakeholders to be cautious while making rules and regulations so as to prevent, “our soil, water and lands from environmental degradation.”

The Committee visited Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and it would soon visit Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat before submitting the report in the coming Parliament session, she said. “I do not know how we are going to word the report but all I can say is that all the 15 members of the Committee oppose imports of all kinds of waste,” she added.

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