Track the Solid Waste Management in your city. Explain it with the help of a Flowchart. Give suggestions for improvement. I want of Varanasi.
Answers
Answer:
VARANASI :
Solid waste management in the city is in a pathetic condition. Though Varanasi is covered under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for improved civic amenities and infrastructure, it is unfortunate to see that the management of municipal solid waste is in a deplorable condition in the city. Moreover, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) is also working on ‘inclusive heritage based development programme’ for a face lift of the city.
Interestingly, the practices restricted under the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, are in vogue in Varanasi that attracts huge footfall of religious pilgrims as well as tourists from across the country and abroad.
The casual approach of municipal authorities, particularly regarding disposal of municipal wastes also indicates clearly that the rules are flouted at most levels -- collection, segregation, storage and disposal of wastes.
According to the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, the littering of municipal solid waste is prohibited in the city. The waste should not be burnt, and stray animals should not be allowed to move around waste storage facilities or at any other place in the city. The municipal authorities should establish and maintain storage facilities in such a manner as they do not create unhygienic and insanitary conditions around it. The vehicles used for transportation of wastes should be covered. Waste should not be visible to public, nor exposed to open environment preventing their scattering.
Municipal authorities claim that they are managing the affairs as per prescribed rules. But, a round of the city is sufficient to prove the hollowness of the claim of municipal authorities. The areas where the municipal wastes are being dumped do not fulfill the specifications prescribed in Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.
In order to prevent pollution problems from landfill operations, there are certain provisions that shall be followed. Storm water drains should be diverted to minimize leachate generation and prevent pollution of surface water and also for avoiding flooding and creation of marshy conditions; non-permeable lining system should be constructed at the base and walls of waste disposal area.
For landfill receiving residues of waste processing facilities or mixed waste or waste having contamination of hazardous materials (such as aerosols, bleaches, polishes, batteries, waste oils, paint products and pesticides) minimum liner specifications shall be a composite barrier having 1.5 mm high density polyethylene (HDPE) , geo membrane or equivalent, overlying 90 cm of soil (clay or amended soil). The highest level of water table shall be at least two meter below the base of clay or amended soil barrier layer; run-off from landfill area should be prevented from entering any stream, river, lake or pond.
As far as monitoring of water quality is concerned, before establishing any landfill site, baseline data of ground water quality in the area shall be collected and kept in record for future reference. The ground water quality within 50 metres of the periphery of landfill site shall be periodically monitored to ensure that the ground water is not contaminated beyond acceptable limit as decided by the Ground Water Board or the State Board or the Committee. Such monitoring shall be carried out to cover different seasons in a year that is, summer, monsoon and post-monsoon period.
For ambient air quality monitoring, landfill gas control system including gas collection system shall be installed at landfill site to minimize odour generation, off-site migration of gases should be protected to protect vegetation planted on the rehabilitated landfill surface; the concentration of methane gas generated at landfill site shall not exceed 25 per cent of the lower explosive limit (LEL); the landfill gas from the collection facility at a landfill site shall be utilized for either direct thermal applications or power generation, as per viability. Or, landfill gas shall be burnt (flared) and shall not be allowed to directly escape to the atmosphere or for illegal tapping. Passive venting shall be allowed if its utilization or flaring is not possible.
Also, great emphasis is to be laid on plantation at landfill site. A vegetative cover shall be provided over the completed site in accordance with the following specifications: Selection of locally adopted non-edible perennial plants that are resistant to drought and extreme temperatures shall be allowed to grow; the plants grown be such that their roots do not penetrate more than 30 cms (This condition shall apply till the landfill is stabilized); Selected plants shall have ability to thrive on low-nutrient soil with minimum nutrient addition and plantation is to be made in sufficient density to minimize soil erosion.
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