Indian Journal of Waste Management

Now-a-day’s plastic has entered every household in different forms and become an integral part of our life. Around 25,950 tonnes of plastic waster India produces every day, out of which 40% has thrown unattended causing the choking of drainage and river systems, littering of the marine ecosystem, soil and water pollution, ingestion by stray animals. Burning in the open atmosphere makes things, even more, worse as it releases toxic gases to the environment. Plastic has been declared as a national menace and our honorable prime minister has taken an initiative to make country plastic free, but it solely depends on the individual effort and contribution.

The sub surface method, porous pipe, irrigation was used for brinjal in view of studying the wetting pattern at different depths, i.e. at a distance of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm, laterally and vertically from the centre of porous pipe. The observations were recorded on 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th day from transplanting. On the 30th day soil moisture was in the range of 25 to 39 % at a horizontal distance of 45 cm from porous pipe. However, it was in the range of 27.5 to 39% in the vicinity of 60 cm distance (downward) form the porous pipe. This similar type of trend, i.e. more spread of soil moisture vertically downward than horizontal, was recorded on 60th, 90th and 120th day. The soil moisture spread, laterally and vertically, was found increased from 30th to 90th day from transplanting might be due to fully developed roots of brinjal and subsequently the higher water uptake. The reduced moisture spread was recorded on 120th day. The developing roots towards the later growth stages of the crop might have restricted the soil moisture spread laterally and vertically.

Keywords: Sub surface irrigation; Soil moisture; Wetting zone.

Solid waste management has become a common problem in rural areas now a day. Huge quantities of biodegradable and non-biodegradable solid waste are generated which needs proper disposal. The problem is more associated with non-biodegradable waste in the form polythene, plastic, bottles, thermocol items, paper, glass etc. Heaps of dung’s are commonly visible in villages surrounding which provide favourable breeding place of vectors. According to Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India (MDWS) approximately 0.3 to 0.4 million tonnes of solid waste is generated per day in rural India. Improper disposal and management of solid waste causes environmental problems as well unpleasant scene. Several initiatives have been taken by state government for effective management of solid waste. The present paper seeks to analyze and discuss Wealth from Waste (Kachre Se Kamai) project for solid waste management in rural areas of Haryana.

Keywords: Waste to Wealth; Rural areas; Solid waste; Gram panchayat; Waste disposal.

Municipal solid waste generating in a city is emerging as a management issue in India. It continuously degrades air, water, and soil quality in the surrounding area. Population growth and migration along with heavy industrialization in city premises is leading to the increased generation of solid waste on a daily basis. In the present paper, an attempt was made to estimate the leachate pollution index for a dumpsite at Jhiri, Ranchi. The result was compared with few developed dumpsite in Delhi. The application of LPI helps us to identify the strength of various pollutants and functioning of dumpsite which may be useful for taking up appropriate steps and planning for leachate treatment and management practices.

Keywords: Municipal Solid Waste; Landfill; Leachate; Leachate Pollution Index; Jhiri, Ranchi.

In many developing countries of the world, agriculture plays an important role in their economy and a large number of farmers are exposed to various pesticides. Farmers in district Srinagar of Kashmir valley use pesticide to control and get rid of disease vectors for the progress of agricultural production. The farmers guided by commercial motives are using more and more pesticides to care for their crops without realizing that these substances are also environmental toxins. The extensive use of pesticides can result in substantial health and environmental threats. A large number of farmers as well as general public is exposed to pesticides through the food chain which causes many diseases. The aim of our study was to assess consciousness regarding health effects of pesticide use among farmers of district Srinagar of Kashmir valley. The results obtained from a sample of 400 farmers selected at random revealed that majority of the farmers under study were conscious about the adverse health effects of using pesticide. Majority of respondents were not formally educated and the main source of information on health effects of using pesticide were family/elders. The farmers who participated in this study were aware about poisoning symptoms of pesticide use like Skin, Nervous system, Gastro-intestinal system, Respiratory system, Eye and Cardiovascular system. Further, farmers under study were conscious that pesticide use may have immediate as well as long term effects on health. The farmers were of the opinion that pesticide use may cause Cancer (85.5%), Foetal death (72.5%), Birth death (67.5%), Infertility (64.5%), miscarriage (52.5%), Parkinson’s disease (51.5%) and Dizziness (19.5%). It was also revealed from our study that only 32.5% farmers under study were knowing about the pesticide residuals, 67.5% were using proper personal protective equipments during pesticides use, 62.5% were following strictly instructions given on pesticide container and only 16.5% were aware about the pesticide exposure toxicity in family. It was concluded that use of risk assessment tools, encouragement of organic diets, educating farmers from hazards of pesticides can help farmers in tackling the menace of pesticide hazards. Finally, it was suggested that training regarding safe use of pesticides should be given to the farmers in the study area.

Keywords: Farmer; Pesticides; Agriculture; Consciousness; Health; Statistics; Kashmir.