MPCB alone cannot control pollution: Dr Deben
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 16 2023:
The state has its own Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to control pollution but the board alone could not control pollution unless people shoulder their responsibilities at individual level to control pollution, stated board chairman Dr Usham Deben.
The chairman told media persons during an interaction at his Lamphel office, here, on Tuesday that there are numerous Acts to control pollution in the country but it is regrettable that people get punished under such Acts for defying the same.
Accordingly, people should understand pollution control measures and work towards preventing pollution right from individual level, he said.
Despite the ban, different types of single use plastics are still available in the markets and people do not honour the government order issued to prevent pollution, he said.
Regarding the policy of scrapping old vehicles, Usham Deben said that there is some controversy over issuance of pollution certificate for vehicles and the government is yet to decide on whether the certificate has to be issued by MPCB or by transport department.
An order of the Supreme Court says that more than 15 years old vehicles should be scrapped but such vehicles with tip-top conditions could be relaxed from the scrapping policy.
In view of this situation, the government is still unable to decide on issuance of pollution certificate for vehicles and people will be intimated once a decision in this regard is taken at the government level, he informed.
According to Dr Usham Deben, MPCB will open ambient air monitoring stations at different parts of the state to determine air quality and necessary equipment for the stations are already at the MPCB office.
He also said that preprations have been made for opening such stations at Lamphelpat, Lamsang, Awang Sekmai, Sawombung, Porompat, Thoubal district headquarters, Kakching district headquarters, Churachandpur district headquarters, Kangpokpi district headquarters, Jiribam district headquarters and at Moreh in Tengnoupal district.
MPCB is unable to instal the equipment due to lack of staff but installation work will begin once experts from outside arrive, he added.
MPCB records noise level of Imphal city at two separate places every year on Diwali day.
Noise level went beyond permissible limit on Diwali day last year at 80 decibel against the permissible noise limit for commercial areas in the evening at 60 decibel.
However, noise level of Imphal city on this year's Diwali day was 59/60 decibel as people of the state decided to skip the celebration due to the ongoing unrest, Dr Deben revealed, while adding that air quality and noise level of Imphal city remain in standard mode and accordingly yet to become a polluted city.