UAE | Environment

RAK government begins review of environmental regulations

The emirate's government has begun a review of environmental regulations to ensure they are effectively implemented.

  • By Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 February 19, 2007
  • Gulf News

Ras Al Khaimah: The emirate's government has begun a review of environmental regulations to ensure they are effectively implemented.

The services provided by the Ras Al Khaimah Environmental Protection and Industrial Development Commission (EPIDC) will be reorganised.

The government earlier signed an agreement with Ceres Associates (Gulf) to provide environmental consultancy and advisory services.

During a conference on Corporate Social Responsibilities held yesterday, Dr Arshad Ahmad, Environmental Consultant at EPIDC said: "Ceres will review the existing environmental regulations and revise the other relative issues according to the federal environmental law for implementation in Ras Al Khaimah."

The conference examined all the new projects and establishments that should undergo an environmental impact assessment to ensure they will not damage RAK's ecosystem.

Dust pollution

"Existing industries such as cement factories and stone crushers have adopted many environmental guidelines to control dust pollution, but still require more remedial measures to control the dust coming out of their crushers," he said.

He added industrial wastewater should be treated to comply with environmental standards, stressing facilities are required for sewage treatment.

"Although Ras Al Khaimah has one of the best solid waste segregation and recycling systems along with the best landfill facilities, there is a dire need for a hazardous waste management system," Dr Ahmad said.

He stressed that new commercial buildings should have segregation and disposal chutes for solid waste because transportation in elevators can easily cause many diseases.

Dr Ahmad said these main points were thoroughly discussed at the conference whose recommendations will be developed into a working plan to be submitted to Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ras Al Khaimah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler for final approval for immediate implementation.

Dangerous

RAK authorities are also considering a plan to dispose of tyres thrown out by individuals and companies.

Michael Sakal, who heads the Works and General Services, said huge quantities of tyres had been dumped in different areas of the emirate.

"The department has been collecting and storing the thrown tyres in the area of Al Fillayah to be handled later. This is a very dangerous situation mainly if there was a fire. There is an urgent need to recycle the tyres," he added.

Sakal said daily domestic garbage in Ras Al Khaimah totals 350 tonnes daily. He added hospitals had their own destruction areas for medical waste. The number of these areas will be increased as some new hospitals are currently under construction, he said.

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