WASTE DISPOSAL

ENVIRONMENT has become the buzzword nowadays in every society. Moreover, all are very much concerned about keeping the environment clean and checking environmental degradation. Several attempts have been made by writers, jurist, commentators, legislatures etc, to define it.

Mcgraw-hill Encyclopedia of environmental science defines environment as, "the sum total of all conditions and influences that affect the development and life of organisms" (Environmental law by S.C. SHASTRI third edition P. 93, Eastern Book Company). GILPIN defines a scientific point of view to mean everything that is physically eternal to the organism; organisms, of course, include human beings)" (Gilpin A; the dictionary of environmental terms 51 Queensland Univ. Press).

The term refers to the conditions within and around an organism, which affect the behaviour, growth and development or life processes, directly or indirectly. It includes the conditions with which the organism interacts, the crucial conditions in some of the environment.

It is declared that "Environment" is a difficult word to define, its normal meaning relates to the surroundings, but obviously, that is a concept which is relatable to whatever object it is which is surrounded. Einstein had once observed, "the environment is everything that is not me".

Whatever conception one might have about the environment, what is important and purport according to India Supreme Court in Virender Gaur V. State of Haryana (1995) 2, SCC. 577.

"Environment" is of the broad spectrum which brings within its ambit "hygienic atmosphere and ecological balance.

Any substance in any form whether in the form of liquid, gas or solid, if injurious to any component of the environment i.e. land, air, water, plant micro­organisms, human being or property or which is likely to harm them will be named as an environmental pollutant. Solid particulate material and gases are already in the air, but if the concentration of these reaches a level which affects adversely the health of human beings, animals or plants, it will be environmental pollution.

The significance of "environment" and its preservation made the world nations gather for the first time at a place under the U.N. leadership to evolve a common society to combat environmental degradation, pollution and ecological imbalances. This epoch-making event took place in Stockholm in the year 1972 (Stockholm declaration, 1972). Twenty-six principles were declared in this conference which is known as Magna Carta on the human environment.

Principle 2 which reads; the natural resources of the earth including air, water, land, flora and fauna must be safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations through careful planning and management. It is in part material with S. 20 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the state shall protect and improve the environment and safeguard the water, air, land, forest and wildlife ofNigeria.

Although this falls under the non-justifiable portion of the constitution, the primary duty of any democratically elected government or institution is safeguarding the health of her citizens. This has been evenly manifested by the Federal government as well as state governments in the federation through special schemes. Some states go an extra mile to this responsibility by providing free medical treatment to the venerable, pregnant women and children.

Billions of naira are allegedly being spent monthly to provide health services. There is no state in Nigeria today, that has not set aside a day for general environmental exercise (clean up). Our various state governments pay heavily from taxpayers' money or special revenue tagged "sanitation fee". The question remains "how are these waste managed to salvage our environment?"