SEAC recommends fresh EC for SWMF at Cacora PANJIM: The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has said that the proposed enhancement of existing capacity of the solid waste management facility (SWMF) at Saligao from 100 tonnes per day (TPD) to 250 TPD, does not require environment clearance (EC) as the expansion is proposed at the current landfill site and the same does not attract the provision of the Environment Impact Assessment notification 2006. The SEAC, on the other hand, has recommended the proposed SWMF at Cacora for fresh EC before the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), following the public hearing process held on November 14, 2017. Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation (GSWMC) had on December 6, 2017 had applied for EC for proposed enhancement of existing capacity from 100 TPD to 250 TPD of the solid waste management facility of solid waste Management plant at Saligao. During the last meeting, the SEAC noted that Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change through an office memorandum dated November 7, 2017 has clarified that provision of the EIA Notification 2006 are not attracted if the treatment facility proposed at existing landfill site or stand alone. “The proposed site for expansion would not attract the provision of EIA notification as the said project for expansion proposed on an existing landfill and no expansion of landfill is proposed. The project only envisages segregation of waste and treatment of bio medical waste through bio methanation including generation of biogas and electricity from biogas,” the minutes of the meeting read. However, the SEAC had directed the project proponent to ensure that all new waste is handled under closed sheds with proper lighting and ventilation arrangement, also there is proper segregate and recycle the additional waste in the Material segregation and recycling center and that Biodegradable Organic Waste shall be treated using additional Bio-methanation and composting units including Fermenter tanks, Gas holder, Biogas Genset based Power Plant along with all associated units.