United we stand

india has called upon the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (saarc) to evolve a united stand over the issue of toxic waste trade.

The government thinks that India and other developing nations face high risks in the matter of cross-border movement of hazardous wastes. This is why India wants a common approach towards the issue at the forthcoming Convention of Parties (cop-iv) to the Basel Convention. The Convention will be held in Malaysia in the third week of February.

From the industrial perspective, India believes that it would not be in favour of developing countries, if they are prohibited from importing waste that can be processed and rendered environment-friendly. The denial of such imports could result in exploitation of the limited non-renewable natural resources which may lead to increased levels of pollution.

The main objective of the Basel Convention adopted by 126 countries in Switzerland during 1989, is to control the cross-border movement of hazardous wastes and its disposal for promoting environment-friendly hazardous waste management.