CPCB provides a template to districts for developing SWM plans

Following a 2019 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has extended its support to district administrations across the country to prepare a District Environment Plan (DEP), which also includes solid waste management. The CPCB has provided a model plan on its website.

The DEP is intended as a quick reference to the personnel of District Administration to identify key environmental issues within their districts, prioritise required projects, strategise and plan for implementation and outline tentative timelines for completion of projects.

The data templates have been circulated to all districts to gather information related to key parameters essential for preparing environment management plan. The DEP will be based on seven thematic areas including waste management, for which the Plan covers solid waste, plastic waste, C&D waste, biomedical waste, hazardous waste, and e-waste management. The other thematic areas include water quality management, sewage management, air and noise pollution management plans are also included in the template.

This model plan is aimed at helping local administrations to set their own goals and targets to achieve their environmental targets. This report will also help regulators to monitor compliance and is structured to allow updates and monitoring at the state-level.

The NGT order had stated that all districts must prepare their DEPs and the environment department in all states and Union Territories (UTs) should collect the DEP to prepare State Environment Plan, which shall be monitored by respective Chief Secretaries of States and UTs.

Picture credit: Alex Marshall 2004, Clarke Energy Ltd, Mixed municipal waste, CC BY-SA 2.5