Pollution & Degradation (DAMP)
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Contents
- Discuss the challenges and potential solutions in managing biomedical waste in the context of public health and environmental sustainability. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
- Recently, India submitted ‘Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS)’ to the UNFCCC. How do it contribute to India’s goal of achieving zero emissions?
18-08-2023
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Answer :
Biomedical Waste is the waste generated during the research testing, diagnosis, treatment, immunization or any other medical procedure of human beings or animals. As per the estimates of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), About 656 tons of bio-medical waste (BMW) was generated in the year 2020.
Challenges faced in managing biomedical waste:
· Lack of Awareness and Training: Limited awareness of biomedical waste in Delhi hospitals leads to improper disposal, risking infectious diseases.
· Inadequate Infrastructure: Insufficient infrastructure in West Bengal’s rural healthcare facilities hampers proper biomedical waste disposal, causing environmental contamination.
· Inefficient Regulatory Framework: Weak enforcement of biomedical waste regulations in Tamil Nadu healthcare facilities leads to improper waste management and hazards.
· Informal Sector Involvement: Informal waste pickers handling biomedical waste in Mumbai lack training and protective equipment, risking their health.
· Transportation and Disposal Issues: Transportation challenges in biomedical waste management in Gujarat lead to contamination and improper disposal, endangering environment, and health.
· Limited Treatment Capacity: Inadequate treatment facilities in Madhya Pradesh lead to landfilling of biomedical waste, risking groundwater contamination and environmental degradation.
Potential Solutions:
· Strengthened Regulatory Framework: For instance, the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, provide guidelines for segregation, handling, and disposal of biomedical waste in healthcare facilities.
· Public Awareness and Training: Conduct awareness campaigns and training programs for healthcare professionals, waste handlers, and the public. For instance, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) organizes workshops and seminars to educate healthcare workers on proper waste management practices.
· Improved Infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure for biomedical waste management, such as the Integrated Waste Management Facility in Indore, ensures proper treatment and disposal.
· Integration of the Informal Sector: Formalize the involvement of waste pickers and recyclers in biomedical waste management. The Saahas Zero Waste initiative in Bengaluru engages waste pickers in the collection and proper segregation of biomedical waste.
· Enhanced Transportation and Disposal Systems: By improving transportation infrastructure and implementing proper packaging protocols, such as GPS-enabled vehicles, Kerala minimized contamination risks during biomedical waste transportation.
· Research and Innovation: For instance, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has developed a low-cost portable incinerator for the safe disposal of biomedical waste in remote areas.
For effective BMW management, the Supreme Court should mandate a national bar-coding system and dedicated trash bins. Legislative support, non-PVC equipment, eco-friendly disposal methods, and careful handling are crucial to prevent water contamination.
31-08-2023
Answer :
Under the Paris agreement, countries must explain how they will work towards cutting emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve net zero around 2070. In pursuance of this target countries submitted their respective LT-LEDS strategies. India submitted its LT-LEDS to the UNFCCC, during the COP 27.
The Strategy is based on four key considerations
- India has contributed little to global warming, its historical contribution to cumulative global Green House Gases (GHG) emissions being minuscule despite having a share of ~17% of the world’s population.
- India has significant energy needs for development.
- India is committed to pursuing low-carbon strategies for development and is actively pursuing them, as per national circumstances.
- India needs to build climate resilience for Climate Justice.
It will help in achieving zero emission target through:
- Resource Utilization: Emphasis on rational resource usage, ensuring energy security while transitioning from fossil fuels to green energy.
- National Hydrogen Mission: Aims to establish India as a green hydrogen hub, focusing on rapid green hydrogen production, nuclear capacity increase, and electrolyze manufacturing.
- Low Carbon Transport: Promoting biofuels, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen to drive low-carbon transport development with initiatives such as EV maximization, 20% ethanol blending by 2025, etc.
- Sustainable Urbanization: Urban growth driven by smart cities, green building codes, waste management, recycling, etc. for climate-resilient and efficient development.
- Industrial Sector: Improving energy efficiency through schemes like PAT (Perform, achieve and trade), circular economy, etc. to balance growth and sustainable development.
- Forest and Carbon Sequestration: India’s forest cover absorbs 15% of CO2 emissions, meeting NDC commitment of 2.5-3 billion tons of carbon sequestration by 2030.
- Costs and Climate Finance: Transitioning incurs technology, infrastructure, and transaction costs, necessitating substantial climate finance from developed countries, aligned with UNFCCC principles.
In the spirit of zero emission India introduced Mission LiFE Mission which aims to mobilise people to adopt sustainable lifestyle for protecting and conserving the environment.
