'Nambul contaminated with E-Coli' : Solid waste biggest sanitation issue: MPCB
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 19 2018:
Management and disposal of the ever increasing volume of solid waste is now the biggest sanitation issue in the State, said Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Member Secretary T Mangi.
Meanwhile, the State Government issued a notification for equipping all PA systems with sound limiters so that loudness of PA systems used in public gatherings, functions, concerts and fairs are restricted within a certain limit.
Speaking to media persons at a press meet organised by DIPR at their Moirangkhom complex today, T Mangi said that 70 stations have been opened at different places as per an instruction of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and these stations have been collecting data about water pollution levels of rivers, lakes and other water bodies.
MPCB has been collecting and monitoring water samples of Nambul River every month and their degree of pollution.
Nambul River has been found contaminated with E-Coli and pollutants which are hazardous to health.
Nambul River is no longer safe for household purposes except for industrial purposes, Mangi said.
Corresponding to the ever rising population, the volume of waste generated on daily basis in Imphal city and surrounding areas has also been increasing.
These waste materials and garbage contain a lot of materials like plastics which are not bio-degradable.
As such, management and disposal of municipal solid waste is now the biggest sanitation challenge, said the MPCB Member Secretary.
Talking about bio-medical wastes generated from hospitals, Mangi said that the State has its own rules for systematic disposal of bio-medical wastes.
MPCB has instructed all Government and private hospitals to use incinerators while disposing bio-medical wastes.
As of now, only JNIMS, RIMS and Thoubal District Hospital have their own incinerators.
Shija Hospital too has its own incinerator.
Other private hospitals and clinics which do not have incinerators bring their bio-medical wastes to Shija Hospital for disposal there, Mangi said.
High decibel sounds generated by vehicles particularly diesel autos have been aggravating noise pollution in Imphal city.
MPCB has already asked the State Government to take up necessary control measures.
Air quality of Imphal and surrounding areas is still good, he said.
Even though polythene bags of 50-micron and thinner have been banned in Manipur, these polythene bags are still used.
All the laws and Government efforts would never be effective enough to check pollution until and unless the citizens are sensitive enough, Mangi remarked.
Noise pollution in Imphal city, as of now, does not pose any serious threat to health.
But it is in the interface of permissible and non-permissible limits.
Nonetheless, PA systems are often turned to the maximum volumes at most public functions and it is causing several inconveniences to the people.
Taking serious note of the disturbances caused by PA systems, the National Green Tribunal issued a directive that all PA systems should be equipped with sound limiters so that loudness of all PA systems are restricted within a permissible limit, Mangi continued.
The State Government has issued a notification to enforce the same directive.
The Member Secretary then appealed to DCs and SPs to see that sound service providers adhere to the Government's instruction.
MPCB's basic responsibility is advising the Government on public health hazards caused by different factors and it cannot act on its own even if there is alarming pollution, he added.
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