Public Concern for Waste Management on 25th May, 2018

Dear Friends, 

We have all noticed how in recent past the issue of siphoning dead animal’s meat from waste dump points to our plates has dominated all media headlines. While people have been busy pointing out various irregularities which have catered to such heinous act; the failure to implement waste management laws seems to be overlooked in the context.

 Sabuj Mancha, the platform for organisations and individuals concerned for environment, has long been advocating the need to exercise the scientific  waste management methods in West Bengal in line of the newly introduced union government laws in the context and feels that the latest development may only be a tip in the iceberg!   We feel very much aggrieved to note that apart from transporting and dumping of a portion of mixed waste from some cities and towns of the state, management of waste is completely absent. Source segregation and processing of waste, though obligatory by Waste Management Rules, are not taking place anywhere. 

As a result our wet lands and water bodies are getting filled up, rivers are getting polluted, biodegradable waste is rotting and releasing methane, medical waste without being treated are returning back to hospitals, unclaimed animal caracasses are being consumed in restaurants and eateries. How long this will be allowed to continue?

On the other side, waste pickers and recyclers, who are voluntarily helping the reduction and recycle of the waste and working as climate volunteers, are completely deprived of their rights. Though the Rules made it mandatory to involve the waste pickers in waste management, they are completely ignored in the state.  

Let us discuss the issues and decide future course of action ……