Aafrin Kidwai 
Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri has launched three advisories on the occasion of World Environment Day. The first advisory is on Material Recovery Facilities for Municipal Solid Waste, the second is on Landfill Reclamation, and a third, draft advisory relates to on-site and off-site Sewage Management Practices.
The Times of India reports that the advisory on reclaiming landfill sites suggests that Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) treat and dispose solid waste through bioremediation. Mr Puri said the reclamation project must adopt an integrated approach to propose all the activities required for dumpsite remediation. “A total station survey or drone-mapping of any landfill/dumping site must be done prior to start of the project. Hence, it is suggested to ensure a precursor study with history of the site,” the advisory stated.
It also asked Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to set up an eco-friendly and non-polluting processing system in order to reduce the impact of the dumping site on their adjacent areas. It also said ULBs should carry out necessary geotechnical surveys for considering the hydrological and flooding potential at the site in order to mitigate any effect on the activities during bioremediation. Periodic study should also be carried out after completion of bioremediation to check for any adverse effects in the surrounding area, it said. The advisory said bioremediation or biomining refers to an environment-friendly technique to separate soil and recyclables from legacy waste.
While speaking at a programme titled ‘Saving Biodiversity through Effective Waste Management’ in New Delhi, Mr Puri said the documents are part of an effort to find and facilitate sustainable solutions to some of the key problems hindering holistic sanitation and solid waste management.
Mr Puri said, his Ministry has been constantly working on capacity building of Urban Local Bodies to focus on various components of solid waste management and holistic sanitation including waste water treatment.
