Solan pushes for cleaner villages with plastic waste disposal units

Efforts are underway in Solan district’s rural areas to address plastic waste through the establishment of plastic disposal units in each of its six development blocks. Without proper disposal facilities, many panchayats in the district have struggled to manage solid waste, often leading to plastic waste being dumped along hillsides.

This creates unhygienic conditions, with animals such as cows consuming the discarded plastic. However, the new initiative aims to change this, with funds allocated to help panchayats develop effective waste disposal systems.

In a phased approach, all panchayats under each block will benefit from these new waste management facilities. Although 240 panchayats in Solan district have shown minimal interest in scientific waste disposal, the establishment of these units is expected to encourage cleaner practices across the region.

In 2020-21, under Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), Rs 16 lakh was allocated to each of Himachal Pradesh’s 88 development blocks for solid waste management in rural areas. However, delays due to land acquisition issues and lack of enthusiasm from some panchayats have slowed progress.

According to Ajay Yadav, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Solan, the setup of waste disposal units has been expedited. A unit is already operational in Barog, with another nearing completion in Chail, and additional units in progress in Dharampur, Kunihar, and Nalagarh. Once operational, these units will help reduce plastic waste pollution, and panchayats will be held accountable for preventing littering.

The new units also give panchayats the authority to impose penalties on residents who do not comply with waste disposal norms, with fines up to Rs 500. This is seen as a way to promote responsible waste management among residents.

Additionally, 65 panchayats have begun charging a sanitation cess to cover waste management expenses, including door-to-door garbage collection and staff payments. The initiative is led by the Nalagarh block, where 38 panchayats have already implemented the cess, followed by Dharampur, Solan, Kunihar, and Kandaghat blocks.

This sanitation cess, introduced on a voluntary basis, is helping panchayats manage waste more effectively, especially since funds for waste management are limited. The revenue from this cess supplements the district administration’s efforts to ensure cleaner rural areas across Solan.

War against plastic waste

Funding: Rs 16 lakh allocated to each of Himachal Pradesh’s 88 development blocks for solid waste management in rural areas under Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission

Progress: Units operational in Barog, nearing completion in Chail, and in progress in Dharampur, Kunihar, and Nalagarh

Penalties: Panchayats can impose fines up to Rs 500 on residents for non-compliance with waste disposal norms

Sanitation cess: 65 panchayats, led by Nalagarh block, have introduced a voluntary cess to cover waste management expenses

Impact: The move is expected to promote responsible waste management, reduce plastic waste pollution and encourage cleaner practices across the region