MPBC is the government agency that is striving to give us a pollution free environment. IT is so easy to use something, dump it or throw it as waste, thinking the municipal will collect it. Have you ever thought as to what happens to all these wastes? Where it goes or how it is treated? 99 out of 100 people really never bother but everything and everybody produces waste. The more things are utilized the more waste is produced and all this remains on Earth. Pollution is spreading its evil tentacles and is capable of destroying without mercy. Scientists have been sending alarming bells, NGO's have been crying hoarse and the government has just woken. However, there is one agency who has been quietly working to establish things, salvage whatever can be done and improve the lot, for their never say die spirit, things have not got as bad as it would have. This agency is MPCB. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) established on September 7,1970 implements a range of environmental legislation in the state of Maharashtra, India. The MPCB functions under the administrative control of the Environment Department, of the Government of Maharashtra. Some of their important functions are- 1. To plan comprehensive program for the prevention, control or abatement of pollution and secure executions thereof. 2. To collect and disseminate information relating to pollution and the prevention, control or abatement thereof. 3. To inspect sewage or trade effluent treatment and disposal facilities and air pollution control systems and to review plans, specification or any other data relating to the treatment plants, disposal systems and air pollution control systems in connection with the consent granted. 4. Supporting and encouraging the developments in the fields of pollution control, waste recycle reuse, eco-friendly practices etc. 5. To educate and guide the entrepreneurs in improving environment by suggesting appropriate pollution control technologies and techniques. 6. Creation of public awareness about the clean and healthy environment and attending the public complaints regarding pollution. The focus area is not only to protect the air and water quality; but manage and treat various wastes in a scientific and environment friendly manner like; hazardous, biomedical waste, municipal solid waste, fly ash utilization, plastic and electronic waste. The most important focus this issue is the biomedical waste that could pose danger by spreading diseases that may then be difficult to treat otherwise. MANAGEMENT OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE The waste that is produced by hospitals, clinics, in short health care and medical centers, laboratories and related organizations is termed biomedical waste. Biomedical Waste (M&H) Rules, 1998 as amended are in force in the state of Maharashtra. The rules stipulate a time period for providing treatment and disposal facilities for the biomedical and hazardous waste generated in all health care establishments. It is necessary in the larger interest of public health to treat and dispose of biomedical wastes in the appropriate scientific manner as prescribed in the said rules. There are about 10,672 health care establishments (with ten beds or above) which can be covered for regulations under the management of Bio- medical Waste Rules, 1998. Until last year 8,639 units were covered under authorization. MPCB has taken proactive measures in facilitating the development of 34 common treatment and disposal facilities for the management of BMW in different cities in Maharashtra. MPCB has carried out a survey of 366 hospitals in Maharashtra. It was noticed that many of the public health hospitals had not provided a deep burial facility as per the standards. The status of compliance and the action initiated by the MPCB is: a) Number of public health hospitals in Maharashtra -366 in number. b) Number of public health hospitals in towns having a population of more than 5 lakhs and practicing deep burial in violation of the rules - None. c) Number of public health hospitals complying with the BMW (M&H) rules, 1998 - 204 total. d) Number of public health hospitals not complying with the BMW (M&H) rules, 1998 and to who notices is issued - 162 totals. These hospitals have now been directed to take corrective measures according to the rules within a period of one month from the date of the notice. In case of failure to comply, further legal action would be initiated against the errant hospitals. The MPCB has been acting as an environmental watchdog to make sure the citizens and organizations become more responsible for their environment and do their little bit for the ecology of trie planet. HAZARDOUS WASTE As per the Supreme Court of India's order dated 14th October 2003 regarding management of hazardous waste in the country; MPCB has conformed and has removed more than 4 lakh MT of hazardous wastes from the industries and disposed it at a facility created at Taloja in a scientific manner. There are four Common Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal facility. They are located at Taloja (Raigad), Buti Bori (Nagpur), TTCJhane and Ranjangaon (Pune). Efforts are made to reduce waste generated by promoting low or no waste technology among industries. A modern laboratory to trace organic analysis will be provided at the cost of Rs. 10 crores. MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL WASTE There are 250 urban local bodies in Maharashtra. They have to put in place proper collection, treatment and disposal system for management of municipal solid wastes as per the rules. Action plans have been prepared and identified suitable land for setting up of the said facilities. In order to motivate the local bodies, MPCB has taken up demonstration projects in 5 cities, namely; Ambad (Jalna), Sonpeth (Parbhani), Navapur (Nandurbar), Murud Janjira (Raigad) and Baramati (Pune). Shani Shingnapur as well as MPCB has provided financial assistance to Latur, for creation of Secure Landfill and Tress plantation, and Jalna Municipal Council for, management of Municipal Solid Waste. Technical and financial assistance is given by the board to set up waste collection, transport, treatment and disposal facilities. SPECIAL ACTION PLANS Mineral based industrial development and urbanization is a major cause of pollution and environmental degradation at Chandrapur. MPCB has prepared an action plan that would be fulfilled by 2009. They include; up-gradation of pollution control devices to meet environmental standards; improvement of roads and transport infrastructures; traffic management; restricting burning coal in open ores; sewage treatment, etc. Special enviromental improvement projects are woefully lacking infrastructure, such as, water supply, garbage collection, treatment and proper disposal of municipal waste, etc. MPCB has decided to take on this project by providing technical and some financial assistance to implement these projects with cooperation of local authorities. Work is in progress at Shani-Shinganapur currently. MPCB is also initiating a huge project at Alandi town, which can encourage other towns to kick off similar projects. Alandi town is located on the banks of the River Indrayani and is approximately 25 km from Pune city. Alandi town has a current population of 18,600 and is an important religious destination. On an average about 12-15 lakh pilgrims visit Alandi annually. Facilities like sanitation; sewerage and solid waste management fall short in catering to the overload of the pilgrims, further deteriorating the quality of the environment. The projects that have been identified are based on a project period till the year 2031. An underground sewerage network is proposed to be provided in all areas within the municipal limits especially near the main temple and Indrayani River. Connecting public toilets to the sewerage network has also been recommended. Support of private bodies, local voluntary agencies and public participation is required to ensure environmentally suitable developments in the town. Technical assistance is being handled by MPCB for these projects. For the disposal of waste, considering the large amount of organic waste generated in the town, especially that which is received from the temple, it is recommended to set up a composting plant/ vermin-culture unit for organic waste. The government and the non-government agencies, both should realize this vision and work to benefit each other. Once implemented, the project would create an overall sense of cleanliness and awareness of maintaining hygiene. This project would encourage others to emulate to make their little world safe, healthy and happy. What MPCB would like to achieve is recognition of the importance of waste management and pollution free world.