Team Herald
PANJIM: Almost 47 per cent of the State’s industries are indulged into hazardous waste generation, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has said in its report.
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Following directions from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the GSPCB conducted inventory of hazardous waste generators, actual users and common and captive disposal facilities. The report has to be submitted to CPCB every two years.
A Bangalore based Paradigm Environmental Strategies Ltd is been appointed to carryout inventorization study.
As per the report submitted, out of 3,340 industries in the State, 1,587 industries generate hazardous waste, however, the current practice followed by most of these units are not in accordance with the latest Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, thus making it difficult for the State Pollution Authority to identify the defaulters and act upon.
The report emphasised to create treatment facilities of this hazardous waste in Goa itself instead of sending this waste to other neighbouring States. At present, the incinerator waste is being disposed by sending it to Maharashtra plant, while the recyclable waste goes to Kerala.
“Importance of organising of training programmes on handling hazardous waste and step to minimise hazardous waste production is also stressed in the report,” Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro told Board members during the meeting held last month.
Goa State does not have Common Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (CHWTSDF) and hence the waste generated in the State is sent to other States for final scientific disposal/treatment.
Monteiro informed that hazardous waste site at Cuncolim Industrial Estate is presently being surveyed for quality and categorisation and the waste will be remediated.
