DOI: 10.36347/sjebm.2014.v01i05.001

Pages: 179-185

Abstract: Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is one of the major environmental problems of Indian cities. Improper management of municipal solid waste (MSW) causes hazards to inhabitants. Solid wastes constitute a growing problem and have gained increased political awareness over recent years. This paper is to present a case study on municipal solid waste management in the city of Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar has a land area of approximately 279 Sq. Kms with a population of 12.03 lacs in 2011. Over the past two decades, MSW generation in Srinagar has increased tremendously from 180 tons in 1981 to 530 tons in 2011. The average generation rate of MSW in 2011 was 271 gm/capita/day. Food waste comprise of 54.99%, followed by fine earth 17%, plastics and polythene 8%, paper/cardboard 6.8%, rags 5.27% and glass/ceramics 2.97%. While all other wastes including metals, stones, bricks, rubber, leather and wood accounted for less than 4%. Currently 70% of municipal solid waste generated in Srinagar city is collected by door to door collection method and street bin systems and is transported for dumping to open landfill site which is at Syedpora Acham about 6 km from center of Srinagar city. In order to solve the solid waste management problems in Srinagar, this study recommends clear goals and timeframes need to be established, duties and responsibilities of local government, NGOs and Srinagar Municipal Authority and funding needs to be allocated in order to produce an effective waste management framework in the City.