Varanasi: The meeting of the District Environmental Committee of Varanasi and other environmental issues was held under the chairmanship of NGT judicial member, Afroz Ahmed, on Friday. He gave necessary instructions while giving his opinion on various issues to protect the environment. He stressed on effectively implementing NGT rules for environmental protection and took information about the work done so far in the same regard.Discussions were held regarding solid waste management, bio-medical waste, plastic waste, safe disposal of hazardous waste, construction and demolition waste, e-waste management, operation of effluent treatment plant in Varanasi. He also took stock of the compliance of various orders of the National Green Tribunal. He suggested adopting PNG in place of coal. He sought detailed information on Ramana STP. The regional pollution control officer informed that currently 100 tonnes of garbage is being disposed off. According to NGT order 606, Ahmed suggested keeping the STP in three parts, which included the interpretation centre, biodiversity park and the third part for its expansion. He also directed the officials to plant trees and pillars on the ridges outside the city to protect the catchment area of the river.He also directed the officials for the disposal of biomedical professionally within 24 hours and suggested adopting agroforestry and urban forestry. Ahmedheld a meeting with industrialists and motivated them to utilize their CSR and CER funds for environmental protection. He also suggested involving religious people in saving the catchment areas of rivers, preventing the use of pesticides and promoting greenery along the river banks.The meeting was attended by the district magistrate, S Rajalingam, chief development officer, Himanshu Nagpal and officers of forest department and others.We also published the following articles recentlySC stays NGTs 12,000 crore waste disposal lapse fine on MaharashtraThe Supreme Court stayed a National Green Tribunal order directing Maharashtra government to deposit Rs 12,000 crore for failure to treat solid and liquid waste generated in the state. The Maharashtra government argued that the imposition of a huge cost is detrimental to their waste management efforts. The Supreme Court had previously monitored a project for Mumbais sewage treatment plant. The NGTs order for the compensation has been stayed and the Maharashtra government does not have to pay the amount within two months.Calangute to hire pvt firm to manage wasteThe present garbage collection system at Calangute is unsatisfactory, so the local panchayat plans to hire a Pune-based private company to handle the task. The company, Swayambhu Transport, will implement a new waste management system, dividing the village into three zones with dedicated workers for door-to-door collection. They will also focus on segregation and create awareness among the public. The agency will charge Rs 52 lakh a month, compared to the current expense of Rs 38 lakh. Calangute aims to set an example for other panchayats and civic bodies.Curtorim MLA vows waste management in 2 yearsCurtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco vows to address the garbage crisis in his constituency by collaborating with local panchayats. He plans holistic solutions and aims to make Curtorim efficient in garbage management within two years. Lourenco warns against discreet waste dumping and deploys surveillance to catch offenders. The panchayat is penalizing and making people clean up dumped waste. The MLA prioritizes tackling dry waste, intending to increase collection frequency and establish a Material Recovery Facility. He also plans to adopt advanced sewage treatment technology.

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