Geography
Waste accumulation is the most visible form of pollution, which creates global environmental challenges. State any three such challenges and their probable remedies.
Waste Accumulation Impact
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Answer
Three global environmental challenges and their probable remedies are as follows:
Land and soil pollution —
Both open dumps and landfills may contain toxins that seep into the soil and cause soil pollution. Scavengers and stray animals invade the open garbage dumps and spread the waste over a large area, thereby, spreading germs and diseases as well as destroying the beauty of the place.
Remedy —
- Implement strict waste management practices, including proper landfill design, lining, and leachate collection systems.
- Promote waste reduction, recycling, and composting to minimize the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Air pollution —
Improper waste incineration and open burning release harmful pollutants into the air, contributing to air pollution and respiratory health issues. As accumulated waste decomposes, it produces a large quantity of methane gas. This is highly inflammable, and can cause an explosion if not managed properly.
Remedy —
- Promote waste-to-energy technologies that use proper incineration methods and emissions control systems.
- Encourage the adoption of cleaner energy sources and waste management strategies that prioritize recycling and composting over incineration.
Water pollution —
Water pollution occurs when people discharge large amount of waste into water bodies, and the natural cleansing process in the water bodies cannot function properly. The process of eutrophication takes place due to introduction of nutrients and chemicals through discharge of domestic sewage, industrial effluents and fertilizers from agricultural fields. This causes death of most of the aquatic organisms, draining water of all its oxygen.
Remedy —
- Implement effective waste management systems, including proper waste collection, recycling, and awareness campaigns to discourage littering.
- Encourage the use of reusable and sustainable materials to reduce plastic waste.
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Delhi has a massive municipal solid waste management problem with the massive landfills at Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhalswa at the centre of the issue. Delhi generates 11,332 tonnes of solid waste every day according to the latest estimate by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), even as the civic body said that 4,360 tonnes of this garbage ends up at the city's three landfill sites.
(Source: 22nd February 2023, Hindustan Times)
(a) What is the cause for the issue mentioned above?
(b) Mention the three different methods of treating waste of the given type?
(c) How can an individual reduce waste generation?
(d) How can Delhi manage its waste following the example of Indore?
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.
According to a World Bank Report, global waste will increase by 70 per cent by 2050 unless urgent action is taken. Suggest five measures to reduce accumulation of waste.