Assam's Garbage Crisis: A Growing Concern
The increasing garbage accumulation in Assam, particularly in Guwahati, is causing environmental degradation and public health risks, according to experts. The Swachh Bharat Mission's waste management framework is under scrutiny, as unscientific segregation practices are worsening the crisis.
Flawed Segregation Practices
Environmental specialists argue that the Swachh Bharat Mission's household waste segregation model, which promotes the separation of waste into dry and wet categories, is fundamentally flawed. These terms describe temporary physical conditions rather than scientifically valid categories for waste treatment or recycling.
The Problem with Dry-Wet Segregation
Biodegradable waste can become dry under certain conditions, while plastics and packaging materials often turn wet when contaminated with food or liquids. Once mixed, such waste requires specialised scientific management, making simple dry-wet segregation ineffective.
The Impact on Assam and Beyond
With limited processing capacity, large volumes of mixed waste end up in dumping grounds, drains, river channels, and low-lying areas, posing serious environmental and public health risks. This situation is particularly concerning in Guwahati, which generates approximately 550-650 tonnes of waste daily.
If no action is taken, around 120 bighas of land at West Boragaon have already been consumed by legacy waste, and if another 60 bighas at Belortol are lost, Guwahati will be left with no viable dumping space.
Implications for North East India and India at Large
The mismanagement of waste in Assam is not only a local issue but also has broader implications for North East India and India as a whole. Poor waste handling contributes to clogged drains and worsening urban floods during the monsoon, as well as the contamination of rivers and water sources.
A Call for Change
Experts warn that unless waste management under the Swachh Bharat Mission is redesigned on scientific principles focusing on segregation based on treatment, recycling, and disposal pathways, the Mission's goals will remain unmet in Assam. They emphasise the need for a scientific understanding of solid waste to achieve a Swachh Bharat (Clean India).