Clean and healthy surroundings make both humans and animals happier. World Habitat Day designated on October 1 by the United Nations reminds us to take care of our surroundings for making a safer habitat that is suitable for all. This year’s theme is municipal solid waste management for sustainable urban development.
The first Monday of October, every year, is observed as World Habitat Day aimed at introspection on the state of towns and cities and encouraging people to act as responsible citizens making a healthier place to live in. It also reminds one of the power weilded by the public and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.
On account of the fact that amount of waste produced by individuals is growing day by day, solid waste management has become a major hassle across the globe. Poor solid waste collection and disposal is a major challenge as it leads to serious health problems. It not only contaminates land but also leads to polluted air and water. Becoming waste-wise is the need of the hour. Becoming aware of the hazards of littering and threats and increasing the three R’s of Recycle, Reuse and Reduce can help improve the dismal state of cleanliness.
In 2010 a survey report stated that every day 0.8 kilograms of waste is produced by every person in the world. Yearly waste generation is expected to rise by 2025, to 5.9 billion tonnes due to population explosion in developing countries. This, if managed properly can alone make room for adequate shelter for all. The problem is mounting in developing countries due to lack of financing, poor governance systems and inadequate disposal of municipal waste. It ultimately leads to water pollution, water logging conditions becoming breeding ground for insects and mosquitoes, which causes epidemics.
Gaurav Chopra, a dealer in automobile spare parts opines, “The main problem with teams of municipal corporation is that they pick garbage but do not have space to dispose of. It keeps mounting in piles and mountains of solid waste get heaped up. Improving municipal solid waste management is critical for sustainable urban development. Cities should aim to become ‘Waste-Wise Cities’ as one of the sustainable development goals of United Nations is environmentally sound management of all waste through prevention, reduction, recycling, reuse and the reduction of food waste.”
Suggesting an effective solution D S Bhargava, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control, said, “Most Indian cities are not able to appropriately manage their solid wastes. Considering Indian situations, greater attention should be paid for segregation and recycling technologies which can even generate funds. In hospitals too this is most advisable. Even in streets and markets, pick boys can selectively collect wastes segregated for recycling or reuse or recovery such that employment too will be generated.”
Local civic bodies can engage with civil society and advocacy groups to raise public awareness with schools as a possible focus. Cities should make long-term strategic plans for urbanisation which fully consider solid waste generation, treatment (including recycling) and identify adequate space for future sanitary land-fill sites.
With advancement of technology e-waste generation has also gone up especially with countries where per-capita income his more. Rapid urbanisation has led to paucity of suitable sites for sanitary landfills. Poorly managed landfills pose many health hazards.
First declared by the United Nations General Assembly in the month of December in the year 1985, the World Habitat Day has seen supporters from worldwide. The individual societies, nations across are taking measures for the adequate shelter through their special activities highlighting the requirement of safe, civilized and inexpensive shelters for the common individual.
Madhavi Bhattacharya, a fine arts professional said, “Home is what anyone looks for on earth whether it is man or animal. As responsible citizens we must not contaminate the earth by dumping solid waste on unauthorised places and also help conserve natural habitat of plants and animals. Singapore is a waste-wise city of the world which has managed its solid waste into green parks and even reuse waste water from sewage after treatment.”