Improvement of solid waste management services through source reduction strategies : a case study of Ganga river ghats-Varanasi city

Abstract

Solid waste management (SWM) is associated with diverse and complex problems in developing countries due to increasing quantum of solid wastes, because of high population growth and rapid urbanisation. India cannot achieve sustainable development if majority of its population lives in unhealthy and non-livable surroundings due to lack of access to proper SWM. Post 2000 AD, due to incremental development in small passage of time, lifestyle of people and consumption patterns have changed a lot, subsequently solid waste became serious issue of concern. Urban local bodies are majorly responsible for the SWM services within their administrative limit, but the level of services are not up-to the mark as in most of the cities are facing immense problems due to the unavailability of the adequate infrastructure, lack of awareness and weak human resource services to execute in SWM system (i.e. as per municipal solid waste management and handling rules, 2016). Out of the stages of SWM practices uncontrolled generation of solid waste is one of the major unaddressed issue, the effectiveness of the means of handling waste in terms of segregation and source reduction (3 R’s) of solid wastes may become possible remedy for the same. This study is mainly focusing on the development of source reduction strategies for the Ghats solid waste generated along the Ganga Ghats in the Varanasi city. Varanasi is one of Indias largest pilgrimage centers and the cultural capital of India. It is famous for Ghats and Temples. There are 84 Ghats (6.8 km stretch). Ghats are the foremost places of performing Pujas and others rituals like; cremation, Ganga aarti etc. these religious ceremonies are generating variety of wastes which are used to immerse in the Ganga River flowing next to Ghats. The large tourist inflow and floating populations are further contributing in the quantum of solid waste generated in the Ghats area. Varanasi is losing it’s the national heritage value, because of cleanliness and solid waste issues at Ghat areas, which means these Ghats are on the brink of public health and environmental emergency and we need immediate remedial action. The objectives of this thesis are to study the current SWM practices along the Ghats and evaluation & recommendations are made on data collected in order to improvement of current solid waste management services through source reduction (3 R) strategies. In-depth study conducted in Ghats area through the collection of secondary data, and primary surveys. Primary surveys were executed through three techniques: individual questionnaire based surveys, focus group discussions and field investigation. Characteristics of Ghats waste shows that the study area comprise maximum flower wastes followed by foods, plastic, paper etc. It was observed that the current SWM practiced (collection-disposal) is adequate but, there is no provision for the segregation and source reduction (3 R’s) of waste, Apart from that lack of cooperation between Municipal Corporation and local people have also been noticed. As Varanasi Municipal Corporation is majorly focusing on collection of waste as a priority rather than the segregation of waste and source reduction (recycling & reuse), because of that uncontrolled high quantity waste is generated on the daily basis, which further lead towards long-term unsustainability of current collection and disposal practices. Thus, we may conclude that, we can recycle and reuse the maximum generated waste to reduce the overall waste generation at various SWM levels. And we can also make alternate use of that waste like; waste composting and energy production. The source reduction (3 R’s) approach should be adopted and encouraged to minimize the waste at source and also for preventing the burgeoning load of waste on dumping site. Awareness campaigns should be performed among local people about safe handling recycling and source segregation of waste and its use as a resource at certain time interval in order to develop an interest and their active involvement and cooperation in SWM. It can be said that unwillingness of local people, inappropriate handling, financial crisis and weak planning are the main reason behind failure of SWM system along the Ghats. Therefore, segregation at source, source reduction (3 R’s) strategy, awareness and training programs, public private partnership (PPP), community based organizations, polluters pay scheme, nominal fine to the polluters, composting, waste to energy conversion and most importantly designing of an integrated SWM that will provide social-economic and financial sustainability are suggested for the improvement of cleanliness status of the Ghats area of Varanasi City.