Page 8 - DPR Rishikesh Legacy_Neat

CHAPTER – I

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is the garbage that is discarded day to day from any
human settlement. According to SWM Rules 2016, this waste “includes solid or
semi-solid domestic waste, sanitary waste, commercial waste, institutional waste,
catering and market waste and other non residential wastes, street sweepings, silt
removed or collected from the surface drains, horticulture waste, agriculture and
dairy waste, slaughter house waste, treated Bio-medical waste excluding industrial
waste, radio-active waste generated in the area under the local authorities and other
entities.”
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) has to be managed by technologies and methods
that enable keeping our cities clean, prevent pollution and protect the environment
and at the same time minimize the cost through recovery of resources and energy.
As per 2011 census, the 377 million people living in 7,935 urban centres (with 4,041
statutory municipal authorities and 3,894 town with more than 5,000 people),
generate 1, 70,000 TPD and 62 million tonnes of MSW per year which is based on
an average per capita generation of 450gm per person per day. It should be noted
that 62 million tonnes of waste generation reported, annually, does not include
wastes picked up by kabadiwalas from households and from the streets by rag
pickers. As per MoUD, 70 million tonnes of waste is generated currently in urban
centres.

There are 53 urban agglomerations in India with a population of 1 million or more as
of 2011 against 35 in 2001. About 43 percent of the urban population of India lives
in these cities. These urban developments are in urgent need of the suitable
technology which ensures the safe treatment and disposal.

Uttarakhand is the 27th state of Republic India. The state has area of 53,483 sq.
km., located at foothills of the Himalayan mountain ranges. This is largely covered
with hills and has international boundaries with China on North and Nepal on east.
Himachal Pradesh is at North Waste direction of the state and Uttar Pradesh is at
South side. The state is rich in natural resources especially water and forests with
many glaciers, rivers, dense forests and snow-clad mountain peaks. Char-dhams,
the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri
and Yamunotri are nestled in the mighty mountains.
It is blessed with a rare bio-diversity, inter-alia, 175 rare species of aromatic &
medicinal plants are found in the State. It has almost all major climatic zones,
making it amenable to a variety of commercial opportunities in horticulture,
floriculture and agriculture. It has a vast tourism potential in adventure, leisure, and
eco-tourism.

1.1 PROBLEMS ARISING DUE TO MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Accumulation of solid waste in open area leads to degradation of environment and
aesthetic quality. Improper disposal of MSW in open areas have a negative impact on
the living conditions of human beings as well as the overall environment. In addition to
the stench emanated, the untreated waste becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes,

8