Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NORTH WESTERN INDIAN HIMALAYAN REGION: A REVIEW

Renu Lata and Konchok Dolma

Abstract

Solid Waste Management (SWM) has become a universal problem and is of a main concern, especially in developing countries, due to different environmental problems, like pollution of air, soil and water and generation of greenhouse gases from landfills. The existing practices of solid waste management in the Himalayan Regions are improper and there is also a lack of segregation of wastes at the source. The improper waste management provides a congenital environment to stray dogs and flies which is a cause of concern for safety of locals in general, and tourists in particular. The current paper reviews the present scenario of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) and challenges in North Western Indian Himalayan Region. It also highlights the possible improvement and the future directions for sustainable solid waste management. Solid waste management in the hilly regions requires the practice of bio composting from the biodegradable waste, whereas non-biodegradable waste can be sold to the waste pickers and junk dealer (kawariwala) for recycling factories to produce new products. It is the need of the hour which should be seriously taken care of by government/ civic bodies to provide SWM service properly to the public.