From Policy to Practice

Analyzing Solid Waste Management gaps and realities in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Across Himachal Pradesh, the current systems for the collection, transportation and processing waste are entangled in chaos. Waste is primarily perceived as an urban problem. But the data and governance gap on rural waste management complicates the scale of this challenge in Himachal Pradesh. With 89.97 per cent population residing in rural areas, the issue of Solid waste management (SWM) is equally challenging in rural areas of H.P. The dumpsites in the state are small and scattered across various settlements, depending upon the population of the area. The Urban Local Bodies do have an established system for collection, transportation and disposal but the traditional governance approach is rendering ineffective in tackling the issue. The unreliable information about the nature of waste, lack of civic participation, inappropriate technology to process waste, unaccountability of private stakeholders running waste to energy plants, increased tourism activities and lack of formal waste management system in rural areas are some of the key issues of SWM in the sub-Himalayan state of India. Even, though Himachal Pradesh has accorded high priority to deal with plastic waste menace by enacting H.P. Non-Biodegradable Garbage Control Act, 1995. But the ill-equipped ULBs and Panchayati Raj Institutions are unable to manage waste effectively. Improper management of solid waste in the North-west Himalayan state poses risk not only to public-health but the entire Himalayan ecosystem, rivers and the community dependent on natural resources. This paper analyzes the state of solid waste management in Himachal Pradesh, India, highlighting the case studies of best practices of decentralised SWM in the state. It also recommends construction of more contexts specific SWM infrastructure, including Material Recovery Facilities, a wider and grass- root level dissemination of information, education and implementation; regarding SWM rules, existing policies and practices to resolve the multitude of SWM challenges.