Srikakulam: Steps to clear garbage through biomining method

Srikakulam: With National Green Tribunal (NGT) directing all municipal bodies across the country to clear their garbage at compost yards as they spread pollution around the surroundings and also pose a threat to public health, the Srikakulam Municipal Corporation (SMC) officials initiated steps to clear garbage through biomining method. As part of it, at Thandyamvalasa village near Srikakulam headquarters, the then municipal officials in 2005 acquired 20 acres of land for compost yard from the revenue department by way of purchase.

Since then garbage has been dumping there for the last 14 years. As a result, about 80 percent of the total extent of land is being covered under garbage and it is causing pollution and leading to respiratory problems to the residents. SMC health and environment wing officials checked the compost yard recently with Vijayawada-based consultant company Zigma Global Environment Private Limited (ZGEPL) to get their technical support for biomining of garbage. The garbage will be useful for cement companies and power generation units as a fire material. The SMC officials also contacted AP Satellite Applications Corporation (APSAC) for accurate estimation of the garbage stored at Thandyamvalasa compost yard.

"We have checked the compost yard with ZGEPL technical team recently," SMC environmental engineer K Dakshina Murthy told The Hans India. After accurate estimation of quantity of garbage with support of APSAC, we will prepare a detailed project report for biomining of the garbage, the engineer added.