A fresh newspaper report says that the
Jammu & Kashmir State which attracts
record number of tourists every year, has attained alarming number of non-ferrous metal recycling industrial units. These are highly polluted industrial units. No "land-fill site" is yet available as even day in the State to store this hazardous waste. Ignoring public health, the pollution Control Board and State Health Department have yet to take congnizance of the level of pollution being created by these industrial units placed in the 'Red' category. Government of India has already constituted State Level Environment impact Assessment Authority after consultation with the State Government. It may be recalled that tourist States like Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal and Kerala have hardly three to five non-ferrous metal recycling units. Under Environmental Clearance rules, It is obligatory for project proponents for Mining of minerals, Oil and Gas exploration, development and production, Washeries, River Valley projects, Thermal Power Plants, Coal Washeries, Mineral benefication, Metallurgical industries, Cement plants, petroleum refinery industry, coke oven plants, Asbestos milling, soda ash industry, Leather/Skin/Hide processing units etc, need clearance from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority. All new projects or activities come under the urgent notification. According to scientists, recycling of non-ferrous metal wastes to manufacture ingots is a highly polluting process and it comes in 'Red Category' according to Pollution Control rules and regulations. Government must ensure environment impact assessment study before going for creating such an industrial estate. According to SEIAA Chairman , expansion and modernization of existing projects of activists to this notification with addition of capacity beyond the limits specified for the concerned sector (projects or activities which cross the threshold limits after expansion or modernization). Any change in product-mix in an existing manufacturing unit beyond fixed norms is also objectionable. All concerned can apply to SEIAA (Joint Director IWDP) Narwal, Transport Nagar, Jammu, in Form I, alongwith 20 copies of project Report for seeking Environemntal Clearance from the SEIAA under EIA notification, prior to submission of application for Consent to Establish to State Pollution Control Board. ECOMARK is also a labeling for environment-friendly household and other consumer goods which satisfies the requirements of Indian Environmental standards for that product. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the implementing agency for this scheme to provide an incentive for manufacturers and importers to reduce adverse environmental impact of products. Poorly planned developmental projects are generally environmentally destructive.