Haritha Karma Sena The Green Army on the Frontlines of the War Against Waste
Haritha Karma Sena The Green Army on the Frontlines of the War Against Waste
Authors : Anjana Sahu
India, with over 1.4 billion people, is the most populous country in the world. The everincreasing population, rapid urbanization, economic growth, and higher rates of urban
consumption have led to a notable surge in municipal solid waste (MSW) production in
the country. According to a 2021 report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI),
India generates over 62 million tonnes (MT) of MSW annually. Of this, only about 75-
80% is collected and 22-28% is processed and treated. The remaining MSW is deposited
at dump yards. MSW generation is projected to increase from 165 MT by 2025 to 436 MT
in 2031. This rapid increase in MSW generation is creating a significant challenge for waste
management in India. An inefficient municipal solid waste management can create severe
negative environmental impacts such as infectious diseases, land and water pollution, drain
obstruction, and biodiversity loss.
Solid waste management has traditionally been viewed as the responsibility of municipal
authorities or urban local bodies (ULBs). In India, solid waste management can be divided
into five stages: collection, segregation, transportation, treatment, and disposal. Due to
inadequate collection and transportation infrastructure, most of the market is dominated
by collection, segregation, and transportation segments. Moreover, only a few municipal
authorities have proper waste processing centres, while even fewer have adequate waste
disposal facilities.
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