Syllabus: GS– III & V: Urbanisation, Solid Waste Management

Why in the news?

Rapid urbanisation in Assam, especially in cities like Guwahati, has exposed serious gaps in solid waste management and civic sense, reflected in poor performance in the Swachh Survekshan cleanliness rankings and rising environmental and public health risks.

Current Waste Management Situation in Assam

Urban waste generation in Assam has increased significantly due to population growth, urban expansion, and consumption patterns.

• Guwahati generates around 600–700 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, the highest in Northeast India.
  
• In Swachh Survekshan 2023, Guwahati ranked 402 out of 446 urban local bodies, reflecting poor sanitation performance.
  
• Only about 46% of household waste is collected daily.
  
• Waste segregation at source remains extremely low at just 3%, which is essential for scientific processing.
  

Other cities like Silchar and Dibrugarh also face similar gaps between waste generation and processing capacity.

Major Causes of the Waste Crisis

The problem is both infrastructural and behavioural.

Infrastructure-related issues:

• Lack of adequate waste processing plants.
  
• Insufficient garbage collection systems.
  
• Limited scientific landfill and recycling facilities.
  

Civic behaviour-related issues:

• Littering in public places and roads.
  
• Dumping garbage near wetlands, drains, and water bodies.
  
• Failure to segregate waste into wet, dry, and hazardous categories.
  
• Low public awareness about environmental responsibility.
  

Experts agree that lack of civic participation is the biggest obstacle.

Government Initiatives and Policy Framework

The Government of India and Assam Government have launched several programmes.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban and Rural)

Launched in 2014 to promote sanitation and waste management.

Key achievements in Assam:

• Assam achieved 100% Open Defecation Free status under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
  
• Solid waste management implemented in over 8,000 villages.
  
• Liquid waste management is implemented in more than 23,000 villages.
  
• 48 solid waste management projects approved under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban.
  

Urban Local Bodies Waste Infrastructure Plan

• Assam plans to equip all 96 urban local bodies with scientific waste processing facilities by 2027.
  

Important Terms Explained

• Municipal Solid Waste: Waste generated from households, markets, institutions, and commercial areas.
• Waste segregation: Separating waste into wet (biodegradable), dry (plastic, paper), and hazardous waste.
• Urban Local Bodies: Local government institutions like municipal corporations and municipalities.
• Swachh Survekshan: Annual cleanliness survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• Scientific waste management: Systematic collection, segregation, recycling, treatment, and safe disposal of waste.
• Open Defecation Free status: Status achieved when no person practices open defecation.

Consequences of Poor Waste Management

Public health impacts:

• Spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, and cholera.
  
• Increase in mosquitoes, flies, and rodents.
  

Environmental impacts:

• Pollution of rivers, wetlands, and soil.
  
• Threat to biodiversity and aquatic life.
  

Urban flooding:

• Garbage blocks drainage systems.
  
• Worsens floods during monsoon season.
  

Economic impacts:

• Negative effect on tourism and investment.
  
• Reduces urban quality of life.
  

Role of Citizens and Community

Waste management is a shared responsibility between government and citizens.

Simple steps that citizens must adopt:

• Segregate waste at household level.
  
• Use designated garbage bins.
  
• Avoid littering public spaces.
  
• Participate in awareness programmes.
  

Infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem without behavioural change.

Importance for Sustainable Urban Development

Effective waste management supports:

• Clean cities and public health.
  
• Environmental protection.
  
• Sustainable urbanisation.
  
• Achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities).
  

For Assam, which aims to become a tourism and economic hub, clean cities are essential.

Exam Hook – 

Key facts:

• Guwahati ranked 402 out of 446 in Swachh Survekshan 2023.
  
• Generates 600–700 tonnes of waste daily.
  
• Waste segregation rate only 3%.
  
• Swachh Bharat Mission launched in 2014.
  
• Assam aims to equip all urban local bodies with scientific waste processing by 2027.
  

Mains Question:
Discuss the challenges of solid waste management in Indian cities. Suggest measures to improve civic participation.

One-line wrap

Assam’s waste management crisis highlights that sustainable urban cleanliness requires not only infrastructure but also responsible civic behaviour and active citizen participation.

SOURCE