A.P.J. Abdul Kalam asks people to take pledge to protect at least one water body in their lifetime

The enormous quantities of conventional waste generated in the country like garbage and fly ash, which is the result of India’s rapid growth story, should be utilised to restore environment rather than deteriorate it, observed former President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

“Effluents are released from millions of households; mounting garbage is a rich source of energy as the municipal waste can be used to generate electricity. The TIFAC (Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council) could convert garbage to fuel. India needs thousands of such power plants in small towns to generate electricity from garbage,” he said.

Mr. Kalam was addressing a gathering on Friday at a two-day national seminar on “100 years of Activated Sludge Process and its application to industrial wastewaters and CETP’s in India”. The seminar is being organised by Jeedimetla Effluent Treatment limited (JETL) in collaboration with Indian Environment Association on the occasion of silver jubilee of JETL.

No toxics in fly ash

Elaborating on the usage of fly ash, he said, “The dumping of fly ash should be avoided and there should be 100 per cent utilisation. Toxicology reports have said there is no toxic in the fly ash, but only nutrients.

Fly ash can be used in green building materials and this can also create employment. It can also be used as manure by the farmers.”

He appealed to each one of the audience to take a pledge to protect at least one water body in their lifetime.

He also appreciated the efforts of the JETL in effectively treating effluent waste.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – March 29th, 2014