The Indian Science Congress expressed concern over failure of Indian scientists and technological experts in developing cheaper and effective indigenous technologies, while also stressing the need for citizens' participation in protecting the environment.
Speaking at a plenary session at the concluding day of the science congress on Wednesday, Prof Shyam Asolekar, head of Centre of Environmental Science at IIT-B, rattled off staggering statistics on hazardous waste and the lack of home-grown solutions to drive home the point.
Over 9 million tonnes of poisonous noxious refuse is dumped every year by more than 30,000 industries. Besides, a significant amount of harmful rubbish is generated domestically, said Prof Asolekar. The waste includes lubricants, waste oils, chemicals, drugs, demolition debris of ships, bio-medical wastes, etc.
"Our experts have failed in developing an effective and cheaper indigenous technology to manage the hazardous waste. So, we have no other option but to rely on costly imported technologies and results in non-compliance of the stipulated rules."
The professor said that though several agencies and experts are working in the field of environmental protection, they are yet to focus on the real problems and their solutions. He said that a bulk of the dangerous substances can be utilized to produce energy as they have high calorific value.
Prof Asolekar also pointed out that not only industries but citizens also contribute a lot in generating hazardous waste. "Batteries of electronic toys, lithium batteries of watches, mobiles and other gadgets lead to a large amount of the waste which is categorised as the 'hazardous waste'.
Invoking Gandhi and Buddha, Prof Asolekar told the Congress and its young participants about Article 51 A (G) of India's Constitution – which states that it is the duty of every citizen to protect the natural environment, forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife and to have compassion towards living creature. "This is the only duty among so many rights our constitution has given to the Indian citizens and we must abide by it."
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