Indian Journal of Waste Management

Biomedical wastes (BMW) are wastes that are generated during diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals or in research activities. With increase in the healthcare facilities the amount of biomedical waste generated per day was also increased. They are very different from other house hold wastes or industrial wastes. Bio
Medical Wastes are hazardous and can be injurious to humans or animals and deleterious to environment as it can transmit infections, particularly HIV, Hepatitis B and C and Tetanus, to the people who handle it or come in contact with it. Since it is hazardous in nature its management is extremely important and this is the biggest challenge in
present day times. These wastes must be treated using adequate treatment method. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has published the Bio-Medical Waste Rules, 1998 to regulate the proper disposal and management of biomedical wastes. This review deals with various techniques used in the management of biomedical wastes.

Keywords: Classification; Conclusion and Suggestions; Definition; Effects of BMW; Sources; Treatment of BMWs.
 

Modern industrial growth and urbanization with population explosion leads to disposal of huge amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the environment. The conventional ways of waste management based on physicochemical treatment further aggravate the situation of soil contamination. To combat the situation of soil pollution, composting of municipal solid waste is a viable and eco-friendly approach in minimizing the environmental risk of contamination. Further, it also enhances the physical, nutritional and biological properties of soil in sustainable manner. However, huge volumes of MSW compost may poses a potential risk of trace elements or heavy metal loading in the soil. Heavy metal content in MSW compost is one of the potential soil pollutants which may easily transfer from soil to food plants through root absorption, and accumulate in plant tissues causing various phytotoxic effects. In this context, strategies based on biological approaches such as bioremediation or phyto-remediation serves as important management option to combat to heavy metal stress in the soil. However, the positive impact of this MSW compost is far greater than of adverse effect. This review addresses the impact of municipal solid waste compost on various soil properties and managing the soil heavy metal contamination to promote soil health.

Keywords: Municipal Solid Waste; Compost; Heavy Metal; Soil Health.
 

Waste management is becoming the most inevitable circumstances of this globalised world. So our prime duty is to minimize the waste from industry to household. For that firstly we have to move a step ahead towards the recovery of nature by minimising the use of paper box for those product which come into tubes specially toothpaste. This paper critically examines the behaviour of creating waste and proposed towards the changing of attitude in household useless waste management. So the authors proposed here the tooth tablet (tooth tab) which can be easily used as a substitute of toothpaste that can be introduced in a glass jar without any paper cover box. Tooth tab will be also easy to carry and use.

Keywords: Waste Management; Environment; Sustainability; Paper Box; Toothpaste; Tooth tab..
 

Kashmir traditionally known as paradise on earth for its beauty is replete with diverse types of fresh water bodies. Majority of these natural aquatic system are shallow basined and classified under western Himalayan wetlands. The wetlands of Kashmir valley are mostly located in the flood plan of River Jehlum and Sind and are characterized by the varying in Hydroedaphic features. All the wetlands are linked with each other. Wetlands form a significant part of our ecosystem. Wetlands decrease flooding, remove pollutants from water , recharge groundwater, protect shorelines, provide habitat for wildlife , and perform other various important functions. Records say that there are 29 wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir State, 16 in the Kashmir valley, eight in Jammu and five in Ladakh. All of these have been brought under conservation plans. The winged visitors from Central Asia and Europe start arriving Kashmir valley in lakhs towards the first week of November and the concentration of migratory birds will peak around first week of February. Kashmir presents migratory birds a comparatively hospitable alternate habitat compared to the extreme freezing conditions in their natural habitats in Siberia, China, Japan and other countries in northern
hemisphere. Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Brahminy Duck, Garganey, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, Red-Crested Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, and Eurasian Wigeon are some of the most sighted birds in the wetlands of Kashmir. It is reported that there are around 106 species of birds nestle in these wetlands, including 25 species of land birds which visit occasionally and several endangered species. Wildlife Warden, are blaming the Revenue Department for failing to take any preventive measures to save the wetlands. They feel helpless as Revenue Department is not providing
them the details about the possession of the lands. Nothing is being done to sort out the issues with the locals who have encroached upon the land aro-und the wetlands in the absence of proper records. Beautiful Valley of Kashmir is bestowed with large number of impressive wetlands like Haigam, Mirgund, Shalbug Wetland etc. In this study,
we report the present status of important wetlands in Kashmir valley. It is noticed that wetlands at present are fallen victim to unbridled development, with extensive encroachment, garbage dumping and the release of untreated sewage. It is recommended that we must continuously monitor wetlands and their surroundings. We should work
together to develop strategies and action plans for the conservation and restoration of wetlands in Kashmir.

Keywords: Kashmir; Wetland; Water bodies; Wildlife; Animal life.