Illegal e-waste recycling units operating: CPCB to NGT

Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) today told the National Green Tribunal that a joint inspection team comprising officers of CPCB and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has found illegal scrap recovery operations in the outskirts of national capital.
The apex pollution monitoring body told the green panel that the Environment Ministry in 2014 had also sought information about e-waste recycling activities in Loni and Mandoli areas in pursuance to a letter by India Interpol which asked about environment crime incidents in Ghaziabad district.
"MoEF has forwarded a letter of CBI-National Central Bureau-India Interpol, New Delhi in response to communication received from Environmental Security Sub-Directorate INTERPOL General secretariat about environment crime incidents and enforcement responses in member countries," it said.

The Interpol has sought information on reports about e-waste recycling activities in Loni and Mandoli areas situated on the outskirts of Delhi and contamination of soil and groundwater in those areas.
"In view of the above, a preliminary survey was conducted by a joint team comprising officials of CPCB and UPPCB in Loni area on September 29, 2014. A site reconnaissance was carried in the outskirts of Delhi (Mandoli area) bordering Uttar Pradesh state, especially the areas near Loni village were visited," CPCB said.
It further said that number of illegal scrap recovery operations are carried out in the areas between Mandoli and Loni here. However, it was difficult to assess the number of such units since these activities were being carried out in small open plots in thickly populated residential areas, it said.

"Most of these plots are enclosed by high-rise brick walls so as to conceal their operations. These units are involved in recovery of various scraps, some of which are hazardous wastes such as lead acid battery waste, insulated copper wires and components of waste electrical and electronic assembles," it added.
During the hearing, a bench headed by Justice M S Nambiar issued notice to Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd and asked to file reply by March 14, the next date of hearing.
The Tribunal was hearing a plea by law student Ishan Jha, filed through advocate Gaurav Bansal, seeking action against burning of e-waste in Loni and Mandoli areas here.