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New Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Telangana committed to environmental restoration: Forests minister Surekha
HYDERABAD: Stating that the responsibility to protect nature lies with everyone, Environment & Forests Minister Konda Surekha on Thursday emphasised that both government and public should work in unison to tackle the growing plastic crisis. Speaking at an event organised by Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) to celebrate World Environment Day under theme 'Ending Plastic Pollution-Globally' at TGPCB's Sanathnagar office, the minister underscored the importance of eliminating single-use plastics (SUPs) and advocated the promotion of sustainable alternatives such as jute bags, paper products, cotton bags, stainless steel, and bamboo. She also encouraged the use of public transport, solar energy and effective solid waste management as key sustainable practices. 'Plastic pollution is not just a local issue. It's an international threat to biodiversity, public health, food security and our future. Plastic does not degrade easily and it pollutes our land, rivers, and oceans for hundreds of years, threatening all life forms,' she added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Over 1,800 industries penalised for violating single-use plastic ban in Telangana
Hyderabad: In the past nearly three years, the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has identified 1,858 industries across the state for violating single-use plastic (SUP) ban. Of these, 1,820 were issued challans, leading to the seizure of 7,812 kg of banned plastic and a total penalty of Rs 22.3 lakh. In the statewide checks since Oct 2022, TGPCB along with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and local municipal bodies carried out over 10,500 inspections on multiple establishments including street vendors, markets, industries and commercial spaces. The data shows an increasing trend in enforcement. In the initial phase (Oct 2022–Dec 2023), 1,127 challans were issued, resulting in fines amounting to Rs 13 lakh. In early 2024, another 474 violations were penalised, followed by 219 more in recent months. 'Apart from fines, action was also taken against plastic manufacturing units. Thirteen industries were ordered shut in Oct 2022 for non-compliance, and another eight in Dec 2022 for operating without board approvals,' said TGPCB senior scientist Prasanna Kumar. The state secretariat has also become SUP-free, according to TGPCB. 'Measures include replacing plastic bottles and bags with steel and cloth alternatives, setting up purified water dispensers, a utensil return bank, and regular awareness sessions for govt staff,' Kumar added.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PCB shuts down lead recycling unit for violating pollution norms
Hyderabad: The Telangana Pollution Control Board has ordered the immediate closure of Jitin Enterprises, a lead battery recycling facility at Nandigama in Kothur mandal in Rangareddy district, following multiple breaches of environmental regulations under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. A recent inspection by TGPCB officials found that the facility had illegally installed and operated two additional rotary furnaces without obtaining the mandatory consent for establishment or consent for operation. Although Jitin Enterprises holds a valid consent for operation until May 31, 2025, for producing 672 kg/day of lead ingots, the unit was found circumventing critical pollution control protocols, undermining both regulatory compliance and environmental safety. Negligent practices The board's report detailed severe lapses in the handling of hazardous lead waste. The unit failed to register with or send waste to a treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF), as required. Instead, lead slag was stored openly, causing spillage into nearby agricultural land, posing risks to soil, water, and food safety. Other violations included lack of records on hazardous waste generation, storage, and disposal, absence of energy meters on pollution control equipment, failure to install emission stacks for rotary furnaces, non-submission of environmental statements for three consecutive financial years, no evidence of green belt development, environmental monitoring, or water usage tracking and omission of mandatory health check-up reports for workers, due every six months. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O novo dispositivo que os idosos usam para ajudar na neuropatia (dor nos nervos) A arte do herbalismo Undo Task force steps in After reviewing the violations in a recent task force committee meeting, where company representatives were also heard, the board determined that the continued operation of the unit posed a serious threat to public health and the environment. Acting under section 31(A) of the Air Act, the TGPCB issued a 'stop production order,' warning that any attempt to continue operations would invite legal action, including prosecution. The board also directed regional environmental officers to enforce strict compliance with the closure order and monitor the site to prevent further environmental damage.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
TGPCB holds competitions on conserving environment
Hyderabad: To commemorate World Environment Day, Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) conducted drawing and painting competitions for school children under three groups that is for Primary, Secondary and High School at TGPCB and Jawahar Bal Bhavan Auditorium on Wednesday. According to officials, over 200 students showcased their creativity through paintings and drawings aimed at raising awareness about protecting the Earth. Their artwork addressed various forms of pollution—including land, water, air, and plastic—as well as emphasized the importance of conserving energy and water, and promoting green cover through tree plantation. The winners in each category will be awarded prizes during a programme which will be conducted by TGPCB at Sanathnagar head office on June 5.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
After Paris visit, Chennai Corporation plans to proceed with Kodungaiyur waste-to-energy plant project
After a delegation of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) engineers, led by Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, visited the Ivry-sur-Seine waste incinerator in Paris recently, the Corporation plans to proceed with its plans to set up a waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Kodungaiyur. 'GCC is planning to go ahead with the project in Kodungaiyur. A government order is to be passed soon in the State Finance Department, which is partially funding the project. The file is under review currently,' said an official, who visited the plant. The proposed plant in Kodungaiyur, estimated to cost ₹1,026.41 crore, would process 2,100 tonnes of waste daily and generate 31 mega watts of power. Meanwhile, residents have got experts to point out the environmental and health hazards caused by the WTE plants in Hyderabad and Paris — both presented as models that would be followed by Chennai. 'Flouting rules' The Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Association (FNCRWA) and Chennai-based civil society organisations said the Hyderabad WTE facility operated by the Hyderabad MSW Energy Solutions (ReSustainability Ltd.) has been flouting the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Citing information from the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), D.K. Chythenyen of the Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) said the Hyderabad WTE plant had not conducted mandatory monitoring of hazardous pollutants — such as HCl, HF, CO, cadmium, thallium, mercury, dioxins and furans and total organic carbon — since its commissioning in 2020. According to documents submitted by the TGPCB to the Central Pollution Control Board for onward submission to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Hyderabad plant was listed among 16 plants that did not conduct bottom ash or fly ash analysis and submit leachate analysis reports. Moreover, it lacked full authorisation under the rules, placing it among the non-compliant WTE plants in the country. However, no penalties have been imposed on it, although the same operator's Delhi plant was reportedly fined ₹25 lakh for similar violations, a release from the federation said, citing the documents submitted to the NGT. The release also documented residents' testimonies of health issues in areas surrounding the plant, including skin and respiratory diseases, infertility, and eye problems. Communities as far as one kilometre from the plant reported foul odour. According to the residents, nearly 18 waterbodies, including the Gulla Pochamma Lake, were contaminated, and many families reported monthly medical expenses of up to ₹5,000 due to pollution-related illnesses, the release said. Meanwhile, Paris-based environmental organisation 'Collectif 3R' has sent its detailed findings of the Ivry-sur-Seine plant to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, GCC Commissioner, Chennai Mayor R. Priya, and the delegation of the dangers of WTE incineration. In the letter dated May 6, the organisation claimed there were alarming levels of toxic contamination near the plant. The letter, shared in a Facebook post, read: '...studies revealed widespread and dangerous levels of contamination in soil, water, vegetation, and even food such as farm eggs. France's national health agency has already confirmed that backyard chicken eggs in the region are too polluted to consume, due to dioxins and PFAS. In Paris, soil and moss samples taken near schools and public spaces in Ivry-sur-Seine and in the surrounding towns showed dioxin levels above EU safety thresholds, sometimes ten times higher than the maximum limit recommended by the European Union for food consumption...'. Massive heavy metal pollution was observed in moss samples taken from four schools too with levels exceeding 100 times the maximum recommended thresholds for food consumption for aluminium, cobalt, lead and tin. The organisation urged the Indian government to avoid Europe's mistakes and pursue sustainable zero-waste alternatives instead. 'This [the plant in Paris] is not a model to emulate. The Paris incinerator being studied by Chennai officials is a proven polluter, and residents here must take note,' said social activist Nityanand Jayaraman in a message on a networking platform, citing the findings of a Dutch non-profit research group 'Toxico Watch'. According to this study published in April 2025, dioxins and heavy metals were found in moss, vegetation and soil samples taken from locations near the incinerator, including schoolyards and childcare centres, he said. To these allegations, an official in the Solid Waste Management Department in the GCC said the studies would be reviewed.
