Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project Regional Stakeholders Consultation Meeting on Environmental and Social Assessment of the Pilot Investment

Transcription

1 Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project Regional Stakeholders Consultation Meeting on Environmental and Social Assessment of the Pilot Investment Paradeep Jagatsinghpur The meeting was chaired by; 1. Dr. A. K. Sahu, Ecologist, SPPC, ICZMP Orissa 2. Mr. Prabhat Kumar Nanda, Secretary, Paradeep Port Trust 3. Mrs. Manjulata Jena, Chairman, Paradeep Municipality 4. Mr. Basanta Kumar Biswal, Vice-Chairman, Paradeep Municipality 5. Mr. Surath Mallick, Executive Officer, Paradeep Municipality 6. Mr. B. N. Bhol, Senior Environmental Scientist, OSPCB, Bhubaneswar 7. Dr. D. K. Rout, Regional Officer, OSPCB, Cuttack Welcome Address: Mr. Surath Mallick, Executive Officer, Paradeep Municipality, welcomed all PEAs, their stakeholders, members of Paradeep Municipality, representatives from industries, NGOs, media persons present in the meeting. Dr. A. K. Sahu presented a comprehensive concept about ICZM Project. He explained the purpose of integration of various activities along coastal belt of Orissa under ICZM Project. He reported that Paradeep is the only port city of Orissa with having capacity of collection of a part of its solid waste and dumping in a specified open space. Now Paradeep Municipality is going to augment the facility of a modern solid waste management facility under ICZM Project. It is planned to cater the needs of growing population of this port city in order to provide healthy and hygienic atmosphere for next years. As the municipality does not have necessary expertise and experiences to handle it, technical support will be provided for structural as well as processing of solid waste through Public-Private- Partnership mode. The capacity building steps will also be undertaken for both the stakeholder as well as the staff of the municipality. Orissa State Pollution Control Board so far is monitoring on regular basis along the inland water bodies, air and soil. However, the coast which is a sink for all inland pollutants give a different picture due to coastal dynamics. Therefore for management of coastal are, OSPCB proposed a coastal monitoring laboratory considering more than dozen ports and industries are coming up soon along Orissa coast. In fact the laboratory will help in zonation of coastal region for management of land use pattern as well as to regulate establishment/ setting of new industries through analysis of cumulative pollution index.

2 Two multipurpose cyclone shelters are also proposed nearby Paradeep at Pettachella and Badatubi, designed to protect the local inhabitants not only during cyclone but also will be helpful in saving life during flood, earthquakes & tsunami. These modern cyclone shelters will be provided with various accessories to facilitate rescue, early warning during a disaster. Mr. Prabhat Kumar Nanda, Secretary Paradeep Port Trust pointed out that along with Paradeep Municipality PPT initiated a project on solid waste management by a private organization which did not work properly and ultimately abandoned. The success of such project depends on the cooperation of the people which is quite evident in big cities like Bangalore. However, it can also be implemented here in Paradeep by sensitizing the people and the municipality functionaries. He promised that PPT will extend all support to the municipality in this respect, but the municipality is to take lead in planning and implementation of the project. The project should be planned keeping the changing scenario of people, solid waste generation for next 20 years. Mr. Basanta Kumar Biswal, Vice-Chairman, Paradeep Municipality supported the implementation of the project in Paradeep and assured support and success of the solid waste management project. He also indicated the cooperation and help from the state government. However, the key to success lies with the cooperation and sensitization of the people. Mrs. Manjulata Jena, Chairman, Paradeep Municipality appreciated such project for the port city of Paradeep. She indicated the success of such project depends on the sensitization of people, cooperation of industries and empowerment of the municipality. She is quite confident about the cooperation from the present elected body of the municipality to make the project a success. Project Executing Agencies Presentation: 1. Paradeep Municipality Solid Waste Management Mr. Surath Mallick, Executive Officer, Paradeep Municipality presented the project proposal on solid waste management for Paradeep urban area. He was keen on saying that health and healthy environment is very much necessary for better living of people. When the balance of environment is disturbed, it turns into disaster. Before such irreparable event occurs human being should take appropriate steps to escape from the furry of the nature. Previously municipality

3 in collaboration with PPT initiated steps for solid waste management by a private organization. However, due to technical know-how, it failed. It is a great opportunity for the people of Paradeep, the project is initiated through funds from World Bank, MoEF Government of India. In this project initially much importance will be given on sensitizing all categories of stakeholders for collection and segregation of solid waste from the source. The solid waste management process will involve landfill for degradable waste and wind rose processing for non-degradable waste. However, in due course of time recycling of non-degradable waste will be given importance for generating resources. He sought support and cooperation from all sections for success of the project. Mr. Rabi Swain, Coordinator Paradeep Swakhyarata Samiti narrated his previous experience when earlier solid waste management project initiatives failed to bring any good to the people, rather inhabitants of nearby area of the project site suffered a lot. Municipality and people should learn from the past experiences. People of Paradeep are also suffering from the exhaust from PPL and and other industries. Municipality should also give priority to such problems. It requires to educate people and adaptation of appropriate/ good management techniques for a successful project. He assured his organization is ready to extend all possible support for the project. However, the management should implement the project by forming a coordination committee and by developing a vigilant civil society. 2. Orissa State Pollution Control Board: Dr. D. K. Rout, Regional Officer, OSPCB, Cuttack presented the project proposal of establishment of a coastal monitoring laboratory at Paradeep. He pointed out that the proposed activity will not pollute, because adequate steps have been taken for it. However, the coastal monitoring along Paradeep-Dhamra stretch will generate scientific data which will help in programming models for better regulation of industries and ports along coast. Mr. Pramod Samal from organization Help specifically pointed out about the adverse impact of e- waste. He suggested adopting recycling process for all types of waste which affects living organisms. He further suggested carrying out the project through developing a good coordination among all stakeholders. For such an environment cooperation and sensitization of people is the primary requirement. He assured all types of support and help from his organization. 3. Orissa State Disaster Management Authority: Mr. Sanjay Khuntia, Coordinator for OSDMA presented the project proposal of multipurpose cyclone shelters presented nearby Paradeep at Pettachella and Badatubi. He reminded the sad event of super cyclone of 1999 near Paradeep. But he pointed out that the situation has changed a lot by now. OSDMA has already built more than hundred of such multipurpose cyclone shelters. However, these MCS will be

4 better designed to face other calamities like earthquake, tsunami, etc. Better facilities will be provided with training for rescue, which will help to reduce loss of life and property during a calamity. Mr. Kalpataru Samal, NGO representative emphasized that the sensitization of women folk is more required for protection of life during disasters. Industrial organizations must come forward to deal with the negative impacts of their air pollution. They must develop special coordination group with local CBO, NGOs and authority to deal with the environment management of their industries. The organization is ready to accept any responsibility regarding the coastal management. He supported the ICZM Project and ensured full cooperation to it. Mr. Jagan Rout, suggested that there must be discussions and dissemination of information regarding the impact of the earthquake and tsunami to Orissa coast and more specifically to Paradeep. He is also interested to know what steps are necessary if such things happen to Paradeep. Mr. Ashok Kumar Adhikari from Badatubi village where a multipurpose cyclone shelter is proposed under ICZM Project, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the village for considering their village for it. He is now hopeful that they can save their life in case of a severe disaster in a scale like the super cyclone of Orissa Summing up the meeting by Dr. A. K. Sahu: Two important projects for Paradeep are designated for environmental management. It is timely because due to deep sea port and growing industrial segments around Paradeep. Coastal monitoring and solid waste management of Paradeep got priority over other sites. However, the success of solid waste management needs awareness, involvement of the stakeholders and proper management by empowerment of Paradeep Municipality through capacity building and utilization of appropriate technology. However, provisions like exposure visit, utilization of expert consultants are included in the project. Besides to gain substantial ability to handle the solid waste management there is a possibility of public-private partnership mode of operation of processing the waste. Similarly with the existing experience and technical ability OSPCB is to fill the gap to handle coastal monitoring independently for which it needs some training and technology from more experienced institutions/ laboratories. All these components of ICZM Project do not have any negative bearing, because the solid waste management and processing site is far from habitation area of the city. Besides all possible mitigation measures have been proposed as well as regular monitoring will be carried out as per the Municipal Solid Waste handling act 2000, to maintain the project people friendly. However, for success of the

5 project it needs proper involvement of the stakeholders with a good sense of health and hygiene and by developing a true civil society. Vote of thanks: Er. Deepak Mohanty, JE Paradeep Municipality offered vote of thanks to all participants and dignitaries on dais. He expressed his satisfaction for positive inputs during the stakeholder consultation meeting.