Subject: GS-02: Polity and Governance
Context:
Legacy Waste Management refers to the systematic process of dealing with old, unmanaged waste, predominantly from legacy dumpsites that have accumulated over decades. These dumpsites, which often lack basic waste segregation, pose severe environmental and health risks. Addressing this issue is a key focus of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and its urban extension, Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), launched by the Indian government.
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 5 October 2024
About Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM):
The Swachh Bharat Mission was initiated in 2014 to promote cleanliness, reduce open defecation, and enhance solid waste management across India. Its aim is to create cleaner urban and rural environments, focusing on both waste collection and treatment.
About Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0):
In 2021, the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) was introduced to address urban sanitation with a stronger emphasis on managing legacy waste dumpsites. One of the central goals of SBM-U 2.0 is to remediate thousands of legacy dumpsites in India, reclaiming land and reducing the environmental hazards caused by improper waste management.
Key Vision: Legacy Dumpsite Remediation
The remediation of legacy dumpsites in India is central to SBM-U 2.0. These sites, which have amassed waste for decades, are often a major source of methane emissions and groundwater contamination. By implementing waste remediation techniques such as bioremediation and landfill capping, the mission seeks to mitigate the environmental damage caused by urban waste dumpsites and reclaim valuable land for productive use.
About Legacy Waste Dumpsites:
Legacy waste dumpsites are outdated landfills that have accumulated waste for several decades without adequate waste treatment. They pose significant risks due to the presence of hazardous waste, non-biodegradable plastics, and untreated organic matter. These dumpsites are often located on the outskirts of major cities, contributing to air pollution and groundwater contamination through the release of toxic leachates.
Associated Data with Legacy Dumpsites:
India has over 3,159 legacy dumpsites, spanning more than 12,000 hectares. These dumpsites generate substantial amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 aims to address this problem by implementing modern waste management technologies such as waste-to-energy solutions and bioremediation.
Hazards Associated With Legacy Waste Dumpsites:
- Groundwater Contamination: Toxic leachates seep into the ground, polluting local water sources.
- Air Pollution: Decomposing organic waste releases methane and other harmful gases into the atmosphere, worsening air quality.
- Health Risks: Proximity to legacy dumpsites has been linked to respiratory diseases, skin infections, and other health problems among nearby residents.
Key Concerns on Legacy Waste Remediation:
- Scale of the Problem: With over 3,000 legacy dumpsites spread across the country, remediating these massive landfills is a monumental task.
- Cost and Infrastructure: Many local bodies lack the financial resources and infrastructure to effectively implement waste remediation processes.
- Expertise: Proper waste segregation and treatment require technical expertise, which is often lacking at the municipal level.
Possible Call of Action for Legacy Waste Management:
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Collaborating with private sector companies for the technological expertise and funding needed for large-scale waste management projects.
- Capacity Building: Providing training for local authorities to manage waste segregation and landfill remediation.
- Bioremediation: Utilizing biological processes to break down harmful pollutants in the waste.
- Increased Government Support: Both central and state governments need to allocate more resources for legacy waste management.
Successful Examples of Legacy Waste Management in India:
- Indore: A pioneer in legacy waste remediation, Indore has successfully treated over 13 lakh metric tonnes of waste, converting the land into green space.
- Ahmedabad: Another success story, where over 1,200 acres of legacy waste has been reclaimed, significantly improving the city’s environmental health.
Infrastructure Development for Waste Management:
Building infrastructure is key to addressing legacy waste in India. Solutions such as waste-to-energy plants, Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and leachate treatment plants are vital for ensuring the effective treatment of waste and prevention of environmental contamination.
Source – The Hindu
