Waste management: Learn from Suryapet and Namakkal, says National Green Tribunal

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has asked other states and Union Territories including Kerala to learn from dustbin-free zero garbage towns in Andhra Pradesh's Suryapet and Tamil Nadu's Namakkal regarding waste management. They function with management expertise without any financial assistance from the state or central government. The Tribunal's directive is based on the order imposing a fine of Rs 100 crore on the Kochi Corporation in the Brahmapuram fire issue.

As a result of the 2004 Supreme Court order, solid waste management schemes increased from 32% to 98% in Maharashtra, from 58% to 92% in Gujarat and from zero to 34% in Madhya Pradesh. This should also be studied. Modern solid waste plants should be set up to treat flammable materials and non-biodegradable waste through bio-mining. Dioxin levels in milk, eggs, meat and breast milk should be analyzed.