Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660
Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------- Introduce environmental studies in schools: HC ------------------------------------------------------------- The Panjim Bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the Education Department to make provisions for the teaching of "Environment and Ecology" right from primary to secondary school. The Division Bench comprising Justice F I Rebello and P V Hardas gave this direction in the common order admitting two petitions Claudio Fernandes v/s Margao Municipal Council and Saligao Civic and Consumer Cell v/s the Director of Municipal Administration, both concerned with garbage disposal.
The Bench has expressed an "urgent need" for Environmental and Ecological studies. It directed, "..the Director of Education is directed, in consultation with the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary School Education to provide for teaching of Environment and Ecology as a subject, in the primary, middle and secondary schools which must include the subject as to how the waste at home and public places needs to be disposed off."
In order to create awareness about the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules, the court has directed the State to initiate a public awareness campaign, with the help of local bodies, through workshops and seminars.
Goa Doordarshan and All India Radio have been directed to broadcast messages on separation of wastes for six months. The court has also observed that the FM radio, in public interest should also broadcast such messages, which will create awareness.
The Bench directed the Director of Municipal Administration to ensure that all the Municipal Councils in Goa take steps to implement the Municipal Solid waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000 within six months of passing the order.
The Court has ordered that the "Recycled Plastic Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999" should be strictly enforced and the Plastic Containment Fund be used to implement the provisions, particularly the ban on the use of recycled plastic bags for carrying food articles. It should also be ensured that manufacturers use only bags of required micron thickness.
The state government has been directed to submit a scheme within six months on taxing those marketing and selling plastic bags/bottles and the like. The Court has however clarified that the tax/fee/other charges should be reasonable and not oppressive.
In view of the flourishing tourism industry, the court has recommended that the State consider the setting up of a recycling plant which would be run by it or through a private operator by its own contribution and the revenue derived from the tax imposed on those marketing and selling plastics. This should also be included in the same scheme.
Every Municipal Council has been directed to appoint a MSW officer, specially incharge of garbage management within three months. The Councils are also to conduct continous public awareness programmes on garbage collection for six months commencing December 19, 2003 with the assistance of the NGOs. They have also been directed to set up Garbage Management Committees.
(Continued in Part 2) ---------------------------------- HERALD 2/10/03 page 4 ----------------------------------
======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--W-E-B--S-I-T-E--=-=-=-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from Saligaonet | http://www.goacom.com/saligao_tinto/ ============================================================================ * Send e=mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (NOT [EMAIL PROTECTED]) * Leave SUBJECT blank <--- Commom Mistake !! * On first line of the BODY of your message, type: subscribe saligaonet YOUR.EMAIL OR unsubscribe saligaonet YOUR.EMAIL Questions/Problems? Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
