Fly Ash Management and Utilization Mission

  • IASbaba
  • February 6, 2022
  • 0
UPSC Articles
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Fly Ash Management and Utilization Mission

Part of: Prelims and GS-III -Environment 

Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the constitution of a ‘Fly Ash Management and Utilization Mission’ in its recent order. 

About the mission

  • Its goal will be to coordinate and monitor issues relating to the handling and disposal of fly ash.
  • The Mission is to be jointly headed by the secretaries of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Union Ministry of Coal and Power and the chief secretaries of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
  • The secretary of MoEF&CC will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. 
  • The Mission may also monitor scientific management and utilization of fly ash by power projects outside Singrauli and Sonbhadra, in coordination with chief secretaries of concerned states.
  • The Mission also extends the responsibility of fly ash management to the chief secretaries of the states. 

What is Fly Ash?

  • Fly Ash is a byproduct from burning of coal in the thermal power generation.
  • It is called fly ash because it is transported from the combustion chamber by exhaust gases.
  • Composition: silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), ferric oxide (Fe2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO).
  • Uses: In concrete and cement products, road base, metal recovery, and mineral filler among others.
  • Harmful Effects:
    • Toxic air pollutants which can trigger heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and stroke.
    • When combined with water they cause leaching of heavy metals in ground water.
    • Affects the root development system of trees.

What is NGT?

  • It is a statutory body established in 2010, as per the National Green Tribunal Act. 
  • It is a specialised judicial body equipped with expertise solely for the purpose of adjudicating environmental cases in the country. 
  • The chairperson of the NGT is a retired judge of the Supreme Court 
  • It shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 but shall be guided by principles of natural justice. 
  • Tribunal’s orders are binding and it has power to grant relief in the form of compensation and damages to affected persons.

News Source: Down to Earth

For a dedicated peer group, Motivation & Quick updates, Join our official telegram channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccount

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Explainer Videos, Strategy Sessions, Toppers Talks & many more…

Search now.....

Sign Up To Receive Regular Updates