The committee, headed by Rajwant Sandhu, commissioner-cum-secretary, science, technology and environment, has as its members the director, health services, medical education, animal husbandry and urban local bodies besides some non-officials. Himachal was the first state in the country to set up the body.

According to a release of the Himachal Pollution Control Board (HPCB), the action plans on the treatment and disposal of domestic waste and sewage, management of municipal solid waste and scientific management of bio-medical waste and regulation of slaughter houses were finalised at a workshop held here yesterday. Sandhu, who is also chairman of the board, presided over the workshop.

The survey by the Pollution Control Board revealed that despite all efforts, urban local bodies had not been able to handle municipal and domestic waste and this had become the biggest source of pollution in the hill towns. The problem of bio-medical and slaughter house waste was yet another serious problem. The biggest danger from the bio-medical waste was the spread of AIDS and Hepatitis virus.

The action plans formulated at the workshop lays stress on the change in the present system of garbage management.

Earlier, speaking at the inaugural function, Sandhu said the workshop should be organised at the district level to bring awareness about the New Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 1998. She said the awareness on the safe handling of bio-medical waste should be part of the curriculum of the education being imparted to para-medical and medical staff.

The work done by the Nagar Panchayat, Manali, in the management of plastic waste was highly appreciated. Sandhu also advised that innovative and low-cost technologies may be propagated for tackling solid waste.