There Is a Serious Solid Waste Problem! What Are We Doing For It?

Everybody, including the Government, is talking about introducing sustainable sanitation, but until and unless the problem of solid waste management in India is addressed and sought after, it looks like a dreamy picture. The global phenomenon of urbanization has made people migrate to cities, increasing the population growth in urban parts of the country.

Due to minimal employment opportunities which are further declining with time, the people from rural parts of India have no other option left than shifting base to the cities. The stagnant and low paying agriculture sector offers no benefits and growth to the rural youth. As a result, they migrate and become the most significant contributors to the rising urbanization.

Because of this unplanned relocation, the slums and informal housing have rapidly expanded to provide shelter to the migrants. However, this rapid population growth has made it difficult for the municipal authorities to provide essential services such as management of solid waste.

While urbanization may have its pros, but these get hidden by the cons which stare at the public and the government and asks them what you are going to do about it?, How are you going to handle? Urbanization has led to massive waste generation, and the inadequacy in handling the generated waste has given birth to unavoidable complications such as health hazards and environment deterioration in urban lands.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan started by the Indian government in 2014, was a major step towards evaluating and controlling the solid waste management problems both in rural and urban areas. It took into account the current practices and modified them to deal with the waste in a healthy and ecologically-friendly manner and encourage sustainable sanitation. India Sanitation Coalition is one platform which promotes sustainable sanitation pan India by working with partners in this sector. They aim to enhance the knowledge base and reach in the sanitation sector through such meaningful partnerships and initiatives.

If you want to partner with the organisation and contribute towards the welfare of the nation by tapping on sanitation, visit their website and learn more about their members, programs, and initiatives.