Lok Sabha Question No. 1299 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-28
Subject: Problem of Pollution and Plastic Waste
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.  1299

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.06.2019

## Problem of Pollution and Plastic Waste

## 1299. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the country stands at the fourth place among the most polluted countries of the world and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether levels of chemical contamination have increased in agricultural land in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the disposal of plastic waste like containers of beverages, thermocol plates, plastic pouches oftobacco products have become a major environmental problem and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  any  special  assistance  to  encourage NGOs working in the field of waste management, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the measures being taken by the Government to tackle the problem of plastic waste?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE    IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) The  World  Health  Organization  (WHO)  released  the  WHO  Global  Ambient  Air Quality Database which consists of mainly annual means for PM10 and/or PM2.5, covering more than 4000 human settlements in 108 countries for the years from 2010 to 2016. WHO doesn't rank countries on the basis of air pollution data. The WHO Report does not report pollution level on all parameters.
- (b) The  study  conducted  by  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  under  All  India Coordinated Research Project on 'Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments' in different soil types (fixed locations) under dominant cropping systems has revealed that even in plots receiving NPK fertilizers,  the  deficiency  of  micro  and  secondary  nutrients  surfaced  after  few  years affecting soil health and crop productivity. Highest decline in crop yield was observed in plot receiving only Urea.There is possibility of nitrate contamination in ground water above the permissible limit of 10 mg NO3-N /L due to excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers including urea particularly in light textured soils.
- (c) to (e) In  order  to  tackle  the  problems  of  plastic  pollution  in  the  country,  the Government  has  notified  Plastic  Waste  Management  Rules,  2016.  As  per  the  rules,  the generators  of  waste  have  been  mandated  to  take  steps  to  minimize  generation  of  plastic

waste,  not  to  litter  the  plastic  waste,  ensure  segregated  storage  of  waste  at  source  and handover segregated waste to the local bodies or agencies authorised by the local bodies. The Rules also mandate the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators, retailers etc to manage such waste. The producers, importers and brand owners haveto work out  modalities  for  waste  collection  system  based  on  the  principle  of  Extended  Producer Responsibility.The rules prohibit the use of carry bag made of virgin or recycled plastic less than  fiftymicrons  in  thickness.  Sachets  made  of  plastic  material  for  storing,  packing  or sellinggutkha, tobacco and pan masala is also prohibited.

The Rules mandate the local body for setting up, operationalisation and co-ordination of the waste management system inter-alia by engaging civil societies or groups working with waste pickers. The Rules also prescribe that the State Governments' policies and strategies should also  acknowledge  the  important  role  played  by  the  informal  sector  of  waste  pickers.  The Ministry is also implementing a scheme 'Creation of Management of Structure for Hazardous Substances'  for  promoting  safe  management  and  use  of  hazardous  chemicals  and  waste. Assistance  have  been  provided  under  the  scheme  to  Government  and  non-governmental institutions.

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