Waste Management and Pollution Crisis in India

India is confronting a significant waste management and pollution crisis, recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of the three major planetary crises. The situation is particularly critical in Delhi-NCR, with several areas grappling with these challenges.

Landfills and Waste Management

• The Bandhwari landfill in Gurgaon highlights the environmental damage caused by inadequate waste management.
• Other major landfills include Bhalswa, Ghazipur, and Okhla in NCR, and Deonar and Mulund in Mumbai, and Mittaganahalli in Bengaluru.
• India has around 2,400 landfills across its cities and towns.
• Efforts have led to the remediation of over half of the 2,500 lakh tonnes of legacy waste from more than 1,000 dumpsites.
• Approximately 7,500 acres of land previously occupied by dumps have been turned into green spaces by cities like Indore and Lucknow.

Waste Generation and Processing

• India generates about 1.6 lakh tonnes of solid waste per day, including municipal solid waste, industrial waste, and construction debris.
• 80% of waste is now processed, a significant increase from 18% in 2016.
• Door-to-door waste collection has nearly reached 100% across 96,000 urban wards.

Government Initiatives and Policies

• The Government of India aims to move from 'manhole to machine-hole' with 100% mechanical desludging of septic tanks and sewers.
• Initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) drive progress in waste management and cleanliness.
• In recent elections, waste management and pollution control were prominent issues.

Pollution Control Measures

• The Delhi government has introduced measures such as water sprinklers, anti-smog guns, and promotion of clean-energy vehicles.
• Monitoring of wastewater from sewage treatment plants is prioritized to clean the Yamuna River.

Efforts to Curb Crop Residue Burning

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed Haryana and Punjab to use paddy straw-based biomass in brick kilns to eliminate open paddy stubble burning.

Plastic Waste Management

• India generates about 95 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually.
• Single-use plastic was banned in July 2022, but public campaigns aim for better compliance.

Innovations and Future Outlook

• Complete segregation of waste and scientific disposal are critical.
• Innovations include using non-recyclable plastic in bituminous roads.
• Policies must support business opportunities and startups for innovation in waste management.
• The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) model is crucial, especially for plastics.

India's vision for a developed country by 2047, *Viksit Bharat*, emphasizes a clean and pollution-free environment. The focus is on transforming waste into a resource within a circular economy and ensuring a sustainable future.