Ahmedabad, Nov 26: Greenpeace today termed as
"illegal and irresponsible" the Gujarat Pollution Control
Board's (GPCB) directive to Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) to
remove asbestos and other hazardous waste on board Genova
Bridge and store it at a landfill in the hinterlands of the
state.
"GPCB has continuously violated the polluter pays
principle and routinely assists polluters by taking on the
hazardous and pricey job of decontamination upon themselves at
state expense, instead GPCB should immediately contact V Shipping International to come to Alang Ship breaking yard and
execute the clean-up, according to Basel Convention and
Supreme Court directives", Greenpeace campaigner Ramapatil
Kumar said.
GPCB has ignored apex court order on Hazardous Waste
Management Rules (amendment, 2003) which directs "SPCBS (State
Pollution Control Board) to ensure that ship should be
properly decontaminated by the ship owner before breaking".
The same order also reiterates ban on import of 29 items
including waste asbestos (dust and fibers) following the
Centre's ban on import of asbestos waste in 1998, it said.
Meanwhile, at the International Maritime Organisations
(IMO) annual meeting Greenpreace is urging IMO delegates to
strengthen and improve regulations covering the breaking of
end-of-life ships, the release added.
Bureau Report
