The primary reason the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issues notifications on ash utilization is to reduce the requirement of land for ash disposal and to address pollution caused by ash.
These notifications aim to:
Minimize Landfill Burden: Thermal power plants generate massive quantities of ash. Uncontrolled dumping and disposal in ash ponds or landfills require vast areas of land, which are often fertile or ecologically sensitive. Mandating and promoting ash utilization significantly reduces the volume of ash requiring land disposal, thereby conserving land resources.
Prevent Environmental Pollution: Ash, particularly fly ash, can cause significant environmental problems if not managed properly.
Air Pollution: Fine ash particles can become airborne, leading to respiratory issues and contributing to particulate matter pollution.
Water and Soil Contamination: Ash can leach heavy metals and other toxic substances into groundwater and soil, contaminating water sources and agricultural land.
Promote Resource Recovery and Circular Economy: By encouraging the use of ash in various applications (like cement manufacturing, brick making, road construction, and mine filling), the MoEF&CC transforms a waste product into a valuable resource, aligning with the principles of a circular economy.
Conserve Natural Resources: For instance, using fly ash in place of soil for brick manufacturing helps conserve topsoil.
In essence, the regulations are a critical step towards sustainable waste management, environmental protection, and resource efficiency in the context of India's significant coal-based power generation. You've precisely hit on the core reasons! The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issues notifications on ash utilization primarily to reduce the requirements of land for ash disposal and address pollution caused by ash.
