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Impacts of Waste Dumping on Wildlife
Context:
The Munnar panchayat-owned waste dumping yard continues to attract wildlife, according to Kerala Forest Department officials. Both wild elephants and gaurs have been frequenting the area.
More on News:
- The panchayat disposes of waste in an open yard near a waste treatment plant at Kallar, close to Nallathanni.
- The practice of dumping vegetable waste, including by the roadside near the yard, has been attracting wild elephants, posing a danger to commuters and workers along the Munnar-Kallar route, officials said.
- Recently, two workers at the dumping yard were injured in an elephant attack.
- In January, the Kerala High Court directed the State government to take immediate action to prevent animals from accessing the yard.
Impacts of Waste Dumping on Wildlife:
- Health Risks: Animals often ingest waste, especially plastics, leading to health problems like blockages, starvation, and even death.
- Toxic chemicals in waste can also harm animals, weakening their immune systems and causing disease. Sharp objects can cause injuries or entanglement.
- Behavioural Changes: Waste disrupts habitats, pushing animals into human areas and increasing conflict.
- Some species alter their diets, relying on human waste for food instead of their natural sources.
- Ecosystem Disruption: Waste can introduce invasive species, threaten biodiversity, and harm marine life through pollution, disrupting entire ecosystems.
Current Status in India:
- Waste Generation: India generates approximately 62 million tonnes of waste annually, with around 43 million tonnes collected. However, only 12 million tonnes are treated, while about 31 million tonnes end up in landfills.
- India has emerged as the world’s largest producer of plastic waste, generating approximately 9.3 million tonnes annually, which accounts for about 20% of global plastic emissions.
- Processing Efficiency: As of now, about 75% of the municipal solid waste (MSW) generated is processed, with ongoing efforts to improve this figure.
- Informal Sector Involvement: Approximately 90% of residual waste is dumped rather than properly managed, highlighting the critical role of the informal sector in waste collection and recycling.
Government Initiatives:
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): Launched in 2014, this nationwide campaign aims to promote cleanliness and sanitation across urban areas.
- SBM 2.0 was introduced in 2021, focusing on achieving a garbage-free status for all cities through source segregation and scientific waste management.
- Solid Waste Management Rules (2016): These rules replaced older regulations and emphasised source segregation, door-to-door collection, and the inclusion of informal waste pickers in the waste management process.
- The Plastic Waste Management Rules: These are a set of regulations aimed at addressing the growing issue of plastic pollution. The initial rules were established in 2016, and several amendments have been introduced since then to enhance their effectiveness.
- Waste to Wealth Mission: This initiative aims to leverage technology for converting waste into valuable resources, enhancing socio-economic benefits while addressing pollution issues.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): The government is promoting PPPs to improve waste management services, although challenges remain regarding implementation and funding.
- Technological Advancements: The government is investing in technologies like automatic waste segregation and decentralised waste processing facilities to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Manufacturers are required to establish systems for collecting and recycling packaging waste, particularly for non-biodegradable materials.
- Community Engagement and Awareness: Initiatives are being undertaken to educate the public about waste segregation, recycling, and composting to foster responsible behaviour towards waste management.