Lok Sabha Question No. 199 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-11-29
Subject: Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 199

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.11.2021

## Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste

## 199. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  municipal  solid  waste  (MSW)  disposal  by dumping  it  on  the  outskirts  of  the  urban  centres,  which  release  methane  and  carbon dioxide  and  increase  the  effects  of  greenhouse  gases  thereby  posing  a  major  urban environmental problem;
- (b) whether the  Government  proposes to adopt proven waste to energy conversion techniques, as adopted by the European Union and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  existing  environmental  laws  have  proved  to  be  ineffective  due  to  lack  of enforcement, the lack of resources and technical challenges faced by a large number of Indian companies, especially the SMEs and if so, the steps taken in this regard; and
- (d) the necessary steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to devise and adopt some sustainable actions to address the myriad issues faced by the country particularly environmental degradation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a):  As  per  CPCB  publication  on  'Status  of  methane  emission  from  municipal  solid  waste disposal site', municipal solid waste is a significant contributor of Landfill Gas (LFG), which is an  important  source  of  Greenhouse  Gases  (GHGs),  mainly  methane  and  carbon  dioxide. Recognizing the large amounts of municipal solid waste in the urban areas of the country, the Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban in 2014.

(b):  The  Ministry  of  New  and  Renewable  Energy  under  Waste  to  Energy  Programme  has recognized  incineration/gasification/pyrolysis  as  waste  to  energy  conversion  technologies  for treatment of municipal solid waste and biomethanation process for wet waste.

(c) &(d): The  Ministry  inter  alia  is  mandated  for  the  conservation  and  survey  of  flora, fauna, forests and wildlife, prevention and control of pollution, afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas, and protection of environment. These objectives are well supported by a set of legislative  and  regulatory  measures,  aimed  at  the  preservation,  conservation  and  protection of the environment. These enactments have been variously amended from time to time. Further, to  monitor  implementation  of  legislative  and  regulatory  measures  the  Ministry  has  delegated powers  to  various  agencies  including  Central  Pollution  Control  Board,  Sate  Pollution  Control Boards, Regional Offices of the Ministry, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority etc. The  Ministry  implements  policies  and  programmes  relating  to  conservation  of  the  country's natural  resources  including  its  lakes  and  rivers,  its  biodiversity,  forests  and  wildlife,  and  the prevention and abatement of pollution. While implementing these policies and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the principle of sustainable development and enhancement of human wellbeing. As regards disposal of solid waste, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, brought out by  the  Ministry  provide  the  statutory  framework  for  solid  waste  management  in  the  country. Central Pollution Control Board has brought out guidelines for effective management of solid waste including disposal of legacy waste. Directions under Section 5 of  Environment (Protection)  Act,  for  enforcement  of  provisions  of  Solid  Waste  Management  Rules,  2016 regarding bio mining of legacy waste to all State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees.

The Ministry has implemented Single-Window Integrated Environmental Management System named  PARIVESH  (Pro-Active  and  Responsive  facilitation  by  Interactive,  Virtuous  and Environmental Single-window Hub) for complete online, expeditious and transparent system for environment, forest, wildlife and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances in the country.

****