Sustainable waste mgmt systems set up in 4 Bir-Billing panchayats

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, July 21

Over the decade, Bir-Billing has seen a rapid increase in waste generation, with the valley producing approximately 3 metric tonnes of dry waste daily. The waste was often improperly managed, and ended up getting dumped, burnt or littered in rivers and streams, creating significant environmental hazardous situations.

Waste Warriors, an NGO, with support from HDFC Bank Parivartan, began focusing on setting up sustainable waste management systems in four heavy-tourist footfall panchayats: Chaugan, Bir, Koeri, and Gunehar in 2021. Their efforts aimed to address the rampant dumping and burning of dry plastic in local rivulets, riverbanks, and forests. Waste Warriors employed various strategic and creative interventions, working closely with local government stakeholders to establish a rural solid waste management system.

The NGO’s efforts have transformed Bir by raising environmental awareness and reducing littering and the burning of plastic waste through information, education, and communication (IEC), as well as door-to-door education. The dry waste collection system now operates in three panchayats, achieving a 91 per cent segregation rate. Collected waste is stored in designated waste banks in each panchayat and sent for recycling.

Panchayats have passed resolutions for dry waste collection, charging residents Rs 50 per month for door-to-door waste collection. The collected fees go to the panchayat’s Swachhta Samiti bank account. Despite some issues due to non-compliance from certain hotels, households and shops, the initiative continues to progress.

Bir pradhan Suresh Thakur expressed hope for continued support from the NGO and HDFC Bank Parivartan, acknowledging their contributions to the environment. Waste Warriors and HDFC Bank Parivartan have conducted over 49 cleanup activities, 71 awareness workshops and created seven wall paintings in and around the village. They have installed more than 14 signboards for IEC purposes.

To address sanitary waste, the NGO organised numerous workshops and sessions with youth, women, tourists, and stakeholders, promoting reusable cloth pads and menstrual cups. Since beginning operations, they have collected over 84 metric tonnes of dry waste through door-to-door collection and more than 4 metric tonnes from cleanup activities, diverting the waste from landfills and sending it for recycling.

At the year’s beginning, Waste Warriors installed two majestic installations made primarily of MLP plastic (low-grade plastic). A swing and a bench were installed at the landing site, and a Himalayan griffon vulture was installed at the take-off site. These installations attract many visitors daily and serve as a reminder of the impact of the plastic waste on the environment and how we act by focusing on plastic waste reduction.

Waste Warriors Society’s senior manager Abhishek Bhangalia, while talking to The Tribune, said he was thankful to the gram panchayats, stakeholders and the state government for their continued support and assistance in providing sustainable solutions for waste management in the region.

91% segregation rate achieved

• Waste Warriors, an NGO, with support from HDFC Bank Parivartan, began focusing on setting up sustainable waste management systems in four heavy-tourist footfall panchayats: Chaugan, Bir, Koeri and Gunehar in 2021
• The dry waste collection system now operates in three panchayats, achieving a 91% segregation rate
• Panchayats have passed resolutions for dry waste collection, charging residents Rs 50 per month for door-to-door waste collection. The collected fees go to the panchayat’s Swachhta Samiti bank account