City	Population (in million)	Total waste generated per day ('000 tonnes)	Waste generation (kg per capita per day)
Kolkata	6.3	2.3	0.36
Ahmedabad	7.7	4.2	0.54
Hyderabad	8.4	3.7	0.44
Chennai	8.6	4.5	0.52
Bangalore	14.1	3.7	0.26
Delhi	16.3	5.8	0.41
Mumbai	18.4	6.5	0.35

Source: Census 2011, CNCB report.

(a) The chart given above gives details of waste generation in big cities. According to a study conducted by IIT Kanpur, 15% of this waste can be collected by rag pickers. Write a note on the importance of rag pickers in reducing wastes.

(b) How can schools and educational institutions aid in reduction of waste?

(c) What can be the cause of lower per capita waste generation in
     (i) Bengaluru
     (ii) Mumbai

(d) As a student of geography explain why the per capita generation of waste in Ahmedabad and Chennai is high.

(a) Rag pickers play a very important role in managing the waste generated in big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. They are an important part of the waste management system in cities because they help in:

1. Reducing the amount of waste going to landfills by collecting recyclable materials like plastic, glass, and metal.
2. Saving energy and resources, as the materials they collect can be reused or recycled.
3. Supporting the environment by reducing pollution and helping in proper waste segregation.

(b) Schools and educational institutions can aid in reduction of waste through following ways:

1. Spreading Awareness about waste segregation, recycling, and the harmful effects of plastic.
2. Set up separate bins for dry and wet waste in school premises to teach proper waste segregation.
3. Encourage digital homework, double-sided printing, and reusing notebooks to minimize paper use.
4. Start eco-clubs where students take up green projects like making compost pits, collecting e-waste, or organizing clean-up drives.
5. Ban single-use plastics in canteens and during school events; promote cloth bags, steel bottles, and tiffins.

(c)

(i) Lower per capita waste generation in Bengaluru could be due to several possible reasons:

1. Higher Public Awareness
2. Better Waste Management Policies
3. Tech-Savvy Population
4. Composting and Recycling practice in households
5. Greater Use of Reusables

(ii) Lower per capita waste generation in Mumbai could be due to the following reasons:

1. High Population Density
2. Limited Living Space
3. Informal Recycling Sector (Rag pickers and waste workers)
4. Economic Constraints
5. Strict Civic Monitoring

(d) The high per capita waste generation in Ahmedabad and Chennai can be explained by the following reasons:

1. Higher Consumption Patterns: Both cities have growing urban middle-class populations with higher purchasing power, leading to more consumption and consequently more waste.

2. Urban Lifestyle: The use-and-throw culture is more prevalent in urban areas which generates more non-biodegradable waste.

3. Economic Growth: With industrialization and better living standards, more waste is generated through commercial and domestic activities.

4. Lack of Awareness and Segregation: In many parts of these cities, awareness about waste segregation is still developing, and mixed waste disposal contributes to higher measurable waste volumes.

5. Rag pickers and waste workers may not be very active.