MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN KOHIMA CITY-INDIA

This paper presents an overview of current solid waste management practices in Kohima, Nagaland, India and suggests solutions to some of the major problems. The levels of socio-economic development determine the quantity and composition of solid waste. Higher the level of economic development, greater the proportion of waste composition. The total population of the city is 1,32,836, among those, 90% population is predominantly tribal. Hence, solid waste is not that much problem in rural economy compared to urban areas. As a result of that, the problem of municipal solid waste management is not yet felt in the rural areas of Nagaland. Compared to that, the concentration of population with higher densities in Kohima towns as well as unmanaged growth of settlements are among major causes leading to the problem of municipal solid waste affecting public health and natural environmental systems. So the total elimination of the waste is an impractical suggestion, rather than it should be managed in an effective manner. The surveys have shown that the collection process is deficient in terms of manpower and vehicle availability. Bin capacity provided is adequate but locations were found to be inappropriate, thus contributing to the inefficiency of the system. At this time, no treatment is provided to the waste and waste is dumped on open land at Dhapa after collection. Lack of suitable facilities (equipment and infrastructure) and underestimates of waste generation rates, inadequate management and technical skills, improper bin collection, and route planning are responsible for poor collection and transportation of municipal solid wastes. This study was on field visit, secondary data collection, interviews with different individuals who were directly or indirectly involved with the project and also through the discussions with the relevant Kohima Town Committee officials to get a clear idea about the present situation of the town. The effective management of municipal solid waste has become a monumental challenge in the town with high population density and experiencing the problem of rapid urbanization. This study mainly focuses on the issue of management of municipal solid waste in Kohima town and also describes its existing systems, the way of dealing with the present upcoming problems and also suggests new innovative approach for effective management of municipal solid waste in Kohima town. The overall objective was to create an efficient, reliable and holistic system for management of municipal solid waste, so as to achieve a cleaner environment and improve the quality of life.