Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Microplastic Pollution
– Himalayan Ecosystem degradation
– Plastic waste management
Context
The Himalayan Region faces a severe plastic waste crisis, impacting its biodiversity, freshwater sources, and ecosystem health. Despite regulatory frameworks, challenges persist in waste management, especially in the hilly terrain.
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 4th March 2024
Mountains of plastic are choking the Himalayan States
Plastic pollution is pervasive in the Himalayan Region, affecting ecosystems, water sources, and even human health. Microplastics, resulting from the degradation of larger plastic pieces, pose a significant threat to biodiversity and water sources.
Data Point
Mismanaged Waste Index (MWI): reflects the gap between waste management capacity and plastic consumption.
India has one of the highest mismanaged waste index (MWI), at 98.55%, in the world (after Kenya, Nigeria and Mozambique).
Concerns
- Environmental Impact: Unscientific plastic disposal is causing soil and water pollution, impacting the region’s biodiversity and freshwater sources. For instance, plastic waste accumulation in the Himalayan mountains, rivers, and lakes threatens the ecosystem.
- Tourism: increased tourism, exacerbates the plastic waste problem. Tourist footfalls contribute significantly to plastic waste, as seen in towns drowning in plastic waste like those in Uttarakhand.
- Ecosystem Degradation: Plastic waste accumulation affects sensitive ecosystems, such as Ramsar sites like Deepor Beel in Assam, where wildlife, like Greater adjutant storks, ingest plastic waste instead of natural food sources.
- Impact on Water Bodies: Pollution in rivers, like the Nambul in Manipur, poses a threat to aquatic life and human health due to plastic waste contamination.
Challenges in Plastic Waste Management
- Ubiquitous Presence of Plastic: Plastic waste is found everywhere in the Indian Himalayan Region, impacting soil, water, and wildlife.
- Rapid Urbanization and Tourism: Unplanned urbanization and increased tourism exacerbate the plastic waste crisis in the region.
- Lack of Infrastructure: The region lacks proper waste management infrastructure, leading to widespread littering and pollution.
- Data Gaps: Insufficient data on the quantity and quality of waste generated hinder effective waste management strategies.
- Recycling Challenges: India struggles to recycle plastic waste effectively, with only a small percentage being recycled through mechanical processes.
- Waste Segregation Issues: Despite regulations, waste segregation at the source remains inadequate, leading to pollution and environmental degradation.
Legal Initiatives
- Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM) 2016: Provides a regulatory framework for waste management across India, including the Himalayan region.
- Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules 2016: Focuses on the management of plastic waste:
- Increase in Minimum Thickness: Raise minimum thickness of plastic carry bags and sheets from 40 to 50 microns (increased to 120 microns from 2022)
- Expansion of Jurisdiction: Extend applicability of regulations from municipal to rural areas due to widespread plastic pollution in rural regions.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Hold producers and generators accountable for plastic waste management.
- Collection of Plastic Waste Management Fee: Impose fee on producers, importers, and vendors of plastic carry bags for establishing waste management systems.
- Promotion of Plastic Waste Utilization: Encourage use of plastic waste in road construction, waste-to-oil, and waste-to-energy projects. Enhance recycling and address waste disposal challenges.
- Responsibility of Waste Generators: Institutional generators must segregate and store plastic waste according to Solid Waste Management Rules.
- Role of Local Bodies and Gram Panchayats: Local bodies tasked with setting up, coordinating, and operating waste management systems. Ensuring compliance and functioning of waste management infrastructure.
- Responsibility of Retailers and Street Vendors: Prohibit sale of commodities in non-compliant plastic bags or packaging.Imposition of fines for non-compliance as per local by-laws.
- Pre-Registration Fee: Shopkeepers and vendors required to register with local bodies for providing plastic carry bags. Fee collection for sustainability of waste management systems.
- Allocation of Land for Waste Management Facility: Streamlining land acquisition process for waste management infrastructure.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 2022: Holds producers accountable for managing plastic waste, but implementation remains a challenge.
- State-Level Initiatives: States like Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Mizoram have enacted laws and policies to regulate plastic use and waste management.
Issues with the legal mechanism
- Lack of Recognition of Special Needs: The Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules 2016, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 2022 lack recognition of the special needs of hill areas, particularly in the Indian Himalayan Region.
- Inadequate power for Local Bodies: While the regulatory frameworks mandate waste segregation at source, local bodies often lack clear mandates and sufficient power to enforce these regulations effectively.
- Insufficient Collaboration: There is a lack of clarity regarding the collaboration between local bodies and Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) in implementing waste management systems, as mandated under the EPR.
- Ineffective Enforcement: Despite the presence of laws and regulations, enforcement mechanisms are often weak, leading to widespread littering and improper disposal of plastic waste.
Way Ahead
- Empowerment of Local Bodies: Strengthening local governance structures and providing necessary resources for waste management.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public on the importance of waste segregation and sustainable practices.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Addressing data gaps to develop evidence-based policies and strategies.
- Financial Support: Utilizing existing schemes and funds to improve waste management infrastructure and operations.
- Convergence of Efforts: Coordinating efforts across various government schemes and initiatives to maximize impact. Convergence in existing schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act,etc.
- Geographical Considerations: Recognizing the higher costs and challenges of waste management in mountainous regions and adjusting policies accordingly.
- Eg. The value of the EPR certificate which is earned by producers, importers and brand owners (PIBO) in the Indian Himalayan Region could be higher than one earned in the rest of the country for every ton of plastic waste processed.
Conclusion
Effective plastic waste management in the Himalayan Region requires a multi-faceted approach involving legal mandates, infrastructure development, public awareness, and financial support. By addressing these challenges and implementing sustainable solutions, the region can mitigate the adverse effects of plastic pollution and safeguard its fragile ecosystems for future generations.
Related Topics
Swachh Bharat Kosh (SBK)
It attracts Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and contributions from individuals and philanthropists, to advance aims of Swachh Bharat Mission.
Governing Council:
- Chaired by Secretary, Department of Expenditure.
- Required to meet at least once every quarter to assess funding feasibility for proposed projects/activities by line Ministries.
Secretariat:
- Assists the Governing Council, housed within the Department of Expenditure, headed by an Administrator at the Joint Secretary level.
Admissible Activities:
- Construction of community/individual toilets in rural and urban areas, including schools and aanganwadis.
- Renovation and repair of dysfunctional toilets in government schools and aanganwadis.
- Water supply construction for toilets.
- Training and skill development for toilet maintenance and hygiene education.
- Initiatives for sanitation and cleanliness, including waste management.
- Any other sanitation improvement activity decided by the Governing Council.
References
PIB.
Practice Question
Assess the challenges posed by the escalating plastic waste crisis in the Himalayan Region and evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks in addressing this issue. [250 words]
How to approach this question?
Introduction:
- Begin by defining the issue of plastic waste and its global implications.
- Highlight the unique challenges posed by plastic waste in the Himalayan Region.
- Briefly mention the existing regulatory frameworks in place to manage plastic waste in the region.
Body:
- Discuss the specific challenges posed by the escalating plastic waste crisis in the Himalayan Region. This could include issues such as unscientific plastic disposal, rapid and unplanned urbanisation, changing production and consumption patterns, and increased tourist footfalls.
- Analyze the impact of plastic waste on the region’s biodiversity, soil, water, and the communities that depend on these resources.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks in addressing this issue. Discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
- Use data and examples to support your points, such as the findings from the Himalayan Clean up (2022) waste audit and the initiatives highlighted in the ‘Himalayas to Sea, Plastic Free’ project.
- Discuss the unique challenges posed by the remoteness and inaccessibility of the Himalayan region, including lack of roads, materials recovery infrastructure, recycling infrastructure, and cultural considerations.
Conclusion:
- Summarize the main points discussed in the body of the essay.
- Discuss the implications of these challenges for the region and the country at large.
- Suggest potential solutions or reforms that could address these challenges, such as increasing awareness, promoting alternatives to plastic, and improving waste management infrastructure.
- Conclude by discussing the future of plastic waste management in the Himalayan Region in light of these challenges and potential solutions.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!