16 years on, SMC fails to implement Solid Waste Management Rules

“Waste segregation costs nothing and takes hardly any extra time. It’s a matter of understanding and more about responsible behavior,” said an expert.

Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed to implement Solid Waste Management Rules —2000 (SWMR), the much needed to dispose bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste in segregation.
Under SWMR, segregation of waste at source has been declared important process as it solves half the city’s problem of waste management.
Under these rules, scientific disposal of solid waste through segregation, collection and treatment and disposal in an environmentally sound manner minimizes the adverse impact on the environment. The local authorities are responsible for the development of infrastructure for collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of it.
“Waste segregation costs nothing and takes hardly any extra time. It’s a matter of understanding and more about responsible behavior,” said an expert.
“When you segregate waste into two basic streams like organic (degradable) and inorganic (non-biodegradable), the waste generated is better understood and consequently recycled and reused with higher potential for recovery,” he informed.
He said that waste pickers typically use inorganic waste and segregate waste further into paper, metal, plastic and then sell them to earn a livelihood.
“These waste streams get collated through the informal eco-system of waste bankers and waste traders who become ‘material suppliers’ to the formal manufacturing sector. As a result, you see products being made out of recycled plastic, metals getting reused for product-making and waste paper getting mashed into pulp to make recycled paper,” he added.
In Srinagar, the concept of segregation still seems a distant dream as authorities have failed to take measures even at a time when the set rules are now sixteen years old and were also revised in 2016.
Segregation of wastage at source is also important for Swach Bharat Abhiyaan for which central government is spending billions of rupees every year.
With the ever increasing population and urbanization, the waste management has emerged as a huge challenge in Srinagar.
“Not only the waste has increased in quantity but the characteristics of waste have also changed tremendously over a period, with the introduction of so many new gadgets and equipment,” said an official.
As per the survey, only about 75- 80% of the municipal waste gets collected and out of this only 22-28 % is processed and treated and remaining is disposed of indiscriminately at dump yards across the country. “But in Srinagar, even zero percent of wastage is not segregated and scientifically disposed,” said informed sources.
They informed that Divisional commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan has already grilled the concerned officials for failing to implement SWMR rules.
Divisional commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan told Kashmir Post that the process for segregation of wastage at source has been started in a few localities and would be extended to other areas shortly. “I have given the deadline to SMC for implementation of these rules, especially about the segregation of wastage at source and later its disposal on scientific basis,” he added.
Incharge Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr Shafqat Khan said that segregation of wastage at source has been started at Rawalpora and some other areas. “We are going to do a lot and implement the SWMR rules in letter and spirit. Within short span of time, the people will feel the change,” he said.