The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has decided to take suo motu action against the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) over its workers’ practice of burning garbage, mainly consisting of dry leaves, on the roadside instead of transporting it to landfills.
The burning of dry leaves, which is by and large mixed with plastic waste, produces a thick blanket of smoke, polluting the air and posing health risks.
KSPCB Environment Officer P. Niranjan told
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“I will also discuss the issue with the Deputy Commissioner and request her to ask the MCC not to resort to such acts that cause air pollution and pose health risks,” he said.
He said the burning of plastic waste released toxic fumes.
T.N. Manjunath of Mysore Grahakara Parishat said: “Schedule II of the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 prohibits burning of garbage and dry leaves.”
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Any violation of the provision of the Rules, attracts the penal provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
According to Section 15 of the Act, each violation of the Rules is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years and/or a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh and in case the violation continues, with additional fine of up to Rs. 5,000 per day, he said. “Even though these Rules have been in effect for 14 years, it is shocking that the MCC is still burning garbage,” he said. The KSPCB, which is in-charge of enforcing these Rules, should take serious note of the violations and act against the MCC for its continued insensitivity, he demanded.
Needless to say that burning of waste is causing pollution and releasing dangerous gases into the atmosphere, he said in a release here.
Garbage was piled up next to the nearest compound and burnt causing disfigurement and damage to the compound.
If there was no compound nearby, the garbage was lit next to a roadside tree, causing irreparable damage to the tree, he charged.