Andhra Pradesh tops the list among the southern states in generating incinerable hazardous waste, around 31,659 metric tonnes annually. The dubious distinction is accorded by the latest report of ministry of Forest and Environment, with Tamil Nadu coming second.
With about 40 contaminated dumpsites identified in the state, environmentalists say the report highlights the grave situation of hazardous waste management here. The report states: “Indiscriminate disposal of hazardous waste may generate contaminated sites, which pose health and environmental risk to surface and groundwater. The list prepared by the Supreme Court monitoring committee was updated by the Central Pollution Control Board.”
As part of pilot project, the Centre is implementing a World Bank-aided project to set right 10 highly polluted sites: two in Andhra Pradesh and eight in West Bengal. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 339.26 crore for five years. Work, though, is yet to start in full swing at contaminated sites in the state.
Environmentalist Devi-das Manghnani says, “Civic bodies have to wake up and deal with hazardous waste water will be contaminated in more areas with new dumping sites.” Another environmentalist, Mr M. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, said: “Industrial units in Medak and Ranga Reddy districts dump huge quantities of hazardous waste. There is no proper check by the Pollution Board authorities. Those industries have to be held liable.”