Waste
Management has become a massive challenge for India. India generates approximately 62
million tonnes of waste per annum as per the Task Force, Planning Commission.
With the increasing rate of urbanization, it is estimated that volume of waste
will increase to 436 million tonnes p.a. by 2050. Currently, India is the 6th
largest municipal waste generator in the world and is lacking much behind in
the management and treatment of Solid Waste.
Among 62 million tonnes of waste, only 43
million tonnes (MT) is collected out of which 11.9 MT is treated and remaining 31
MT is dumped in landfill sites. Solid Waste Management (SWM), as one of the
most basic and essential services has emerged as one of the most challenging
problem for India.
Major Sources of Solid Waste in India
Municipal
and Industrial waste remains the major sources of solid waste followed by
Bio-Medical Waste, Plastic and hazardous waste. Data shows that around 1.43
lakh tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste is generated every day in Indian cities
and 70% of which is dumped without processing. In fact, Mumbai is 5th most
wasteful city in the world. As one of a well-known medical tourism destination
worldwide, India generates 550 tons per day of medical waste.
According to All
India Plastic Manufacturer Organization, India consumes 13 million tonnes of
plastic per year and waste generated accounts for 9 million tonnes per year.
Plastic waste is mostly dumped into land creating land and soil pollution
problems in the country.
Concerns & Government initiatives
Blaming
urbanization and industrialization is a different thing, but the consequences
of India producing tonnes of waste is really worrisome and troubling. According
to the World Bank, India’s daily waste generation will reach 377,000 tonnes by
2025. To deal with this situation, India needs an effective solid waste
management system and lessons from the developed countries like South Korea,
having the most sophisticated solid waste management system in the world.
Indeed,
Government of India is taking necessary initiatives to promote environmental services in India. New Solid Waste Management Rules
(SWM), 2016 are encouraging more treatment of waste to energy, segregation
waste at source, waste processing and treatment.
With initiatives like Swachh
Bharat Mission, Smart Cities Mission, Atal mission for rejuvenation and urban
transformation (AMRUT) and National Mission for Sustainable Habitat, government
is working to make India clean and Healthy in a sustainable manner.
To promote
and attract foreign investments in the waste management sector, 100% foreign
direct investment under the automatic route is permitted for urban
infrastructure areas including waste management subject to relevant rules and
regulations.
Apart from relaxed FDI norms, other fiscal incentives like 100%
tax deductions on gains and profits to waste management projects, exemption and
concessions on electricity taxes are given by government to promote waste
management projects in India.
Opportunities & way forward
Solid Waste Management possess
immense challenges for India, at the same time the sector has immense growth
potential. With the growing concerns and demand for management of solid waste, Waste
Management Industry in India is expected to grow to USD 1 Billion by 2020.
There exists immense potential for investment in the Solid Waste Management
sector. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), 62
million tons of current Municipal Waste generated in India will go up to 114
million tons by 2041. Waste to Energy projects has strong growth prospects as
India has realized only 2% so far of its WtE potential. Effective Solid waste
Management is an important objective of Smart Cities Mission.
A lot of
investment opportunities are available for both domestic and international
businesses to invest in Smart City mission of India. In short, the strong
commitments and policy initiatives taken by the government indicates huge growth opportunities in the
sector.
Submitted By;
Indian Services.
For;
EnvironmentGo.
