09 February 2004	Monday	17 Zilhaj 1424

LAHORE, Feb 8: The National Engineering Services of Pakistan has recommended adoption of composting as a zero waste technology for scientific disposal of the solid waste being generated in the provincial metropolis.

Composting has been recommended as an appropriate technology for municipal solid waste disposal as it helps in total recycling of its contents without any harmful side effects.

Waste components like glass, metals and paper can be sorted out and the kitchen waste can be converted into useful organic fertilizer. Energy generation by burning the waste has been opposed as the smoke produced as a result would pollute the atmosphere and degrade the environment.

The Nespak has given the proposal in the environmental impact assessment report on the Mahmood Booti landfill site of the city district government's solid waste management. The report was submitted to the sub-committee of the commission constituted by the Lahore High Court for suggesting ways and means for scientific disposal of the waste being generated in the provincial metropolis.

The Nespak has rated the Mahmood Booti landfill site area as sensitive with regard to environmental degradation due to being located in flood plain of the Ravi. Moreover, there is no buffer area between it and the urban population. The aquifer under it provides ground water to the provincial metropolis.

Presence of phosphate, nickel and chromium indicate contamination by industrial effluents. Air quality has been found good except occasional odour problem.

The Nespak has found the proposed sites on Bedian Road and Sheikhupura Road unsuitable for waste dumping after initial environmental examination. The site near Kahna has been found suitable, subject to availability of the right of way. Need for environment impact assessment has, however, been stressed.

The sub-committee has approved the report and decided to submit it to the commission headed by Dr Pervez Hasan for further discussion and submission to the Lahore High Court.

The court has constituted the commission on a writ petition filed by the former owners of the Mahmood Booti landfill site for the return of their land on the ground that the CDG had failed to utilize it for scientific disposal of the solid waste.