Mandalay’s great clean-up has begun. More than 90 factories around
the city that produce liquid waste have been told the government is
ready to take action against them unless they clean up their act.
Unless
disposal of liquid waste from industrial zones in Mandalay is done
systematically, legal proceedings will be launched against factories,
said U Tun Kyi, a member of the Mandalay City Development Committee
(MCDC).
According to the committee’s statistics, more than 90
factories producing leather, sugar, paper, batteries, soap, condensed
milk, dyes and beverages will now have to dispose of their liquid waste
thoughtfully.
“We will investigate and take offenders to court,
starting soon. We will act under the new development and garden
preservation laws. The proprietors have already agreed to this plan,” he
said.
The agreement was reached on January 30 when factory
owners and MCDC officials met to discuss the issue. Liquid waste may
affect the ecosystem of Taungthaman Lake and its surroundings, as well
as Taunginn and Myaukinn natural ponds, and even the Ayeyarwady River
itself, state media has reported.
“Untreated liquid waste has been disposed of for more than 16 years, so it’s time we took action,” said U Tun Kyi.
“Factories
that can afford to set up their own waste treatment facilities are
arranging to do so. We will be inviting tenders for a company to assist
those that cannot. We are studying the issue with the help of a Thai
company,” he added.
Treatment to render liquid waste harmless
requires as many as five stages, and the cost will be borne by the
companies depending on the volume of their emissions.
“We will
charge by the gallon for disposal of liquid waste, though once the
factory has covered the cost we could charge a reduced rate, of provide
the service free,” said Industrial Zone Management Committee joint
secretary 1 U Maung Maung Oo.
source: The Myanmar Times
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/4067-mcdc-to-prosecute-illegal-waste-dumpers.html
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