Solid Waste Management Practices and it’s Rising Problem in Gangtok Municipal Areas

Urban areas across the nation have been facing a serious problem of solid waste and with the growing problem, urban bodies have been trying its best to address the issue. My paper attempts to understand the role of Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC). The best of practices GMC has been playing for the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste, how its working with the collaboration to different Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), local people participation in handling waste and its consequent effect on the environment. The study was carried out by using quantitative research design, employing group discussion and in-depth observations methods with all the stake holders such as GMC officials, workers, NGO’s and households. The study finds that the primary focus of the corporation remains on collecting and transporting largely unsegregated mixed waste from the main roads, markets, and other visible places. Although the corporation is working along with different NGO’s, it is struggling to implement the SWM rules and failed to collect the user fees efficiently, my findings suggest that even though majority of the people are aware of the ills of burning and dumping garbage, yet people’s participation in SWM related activities is limited.