Articles

Srinagar City Waste Disposal Policy: Plans, implementation and gaps

1 March 2025

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By: Dr Fiaz Maqbool Fazili

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is a city celebrated for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Yet, like many urban centers in developing regions, it grapples with the escalating challenge of waste management. The city’s waste disposal policies and their implementation have drawn criticism from residents, policymakers, and environmentalists alike. This analysis evaluates the gaps between Srinagar’s waste disposal policy framework and its on-ground execution, draws lessons from global best practices, and proposes actionable solutions to foster a sustainable waste management system.

Srinagar generates between 400 and 500 metric tons of solid waste daily, predominantly organic waste from households and commercial establishments. The existing system is marred by inadequate infrastructure, limited public awareness, and poor policy enforcement. Landfilling remains the primary disposal method, despite its unsustainability and environmental hazards. The absence of source segregation, inefficient collection mechanisms, and minimal recycling infrastructure compound the problem, leading to overflowing dump sites and ecological degradation.

While Srinagar has a waste management policy outlining stakeholder responsibilities, critical gaps persist. The policy lacks specificity on segregation protocols, recycling targets, and timelines for transitioning to sustainable methods such as composting or waste-to-energy conversion. Infrastructure deficiencies further undermine implementation: recycling and composting facilities are scarce, landfill sites are overburdened, and outdated equipment hampers collection and transportation. Without modern machinery or technological integration, the system remains inefficient and environmentally damaging.

Public participation, a cornerstone of effective waste management, remains alarmingly low. Citizens are seldom educated about segregation, recycling, or responsible disposal, resulting in mixed waste that complicates processing. Unlike cities in Germany or Japan, where source segregation is mandatory and supported by color-coded bins, Srinagar lacks both regulatory mandates and community engagement programs. This disengagement places undue strain on municipal authorities, perpetuating a cycle of inefficiency.

Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are equally weak. Penalties for littering or non-compliance are either absent or ignored, fostering a culture of indifference. Contrast this with countries like Switzerland or Canada, where stringent enforcement and public awareness campaigns drive high compliance rates. Financial constraints further limit progress; the municipal corporation struggles with budget shortfalls, restricting investments in infrastructure, technology, and workforce training. The absence of public-private partnerships or external funding avenues exacerbates these challenges.

Globally, successful models offer valuable insights. Sweden, for instance, recycles 99% of its household waste, largely through waste-to-energy plants. Japan’s meticulous segregation protocols and Germany’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws—which hold manufacturers accountable for product lifecycle management—demonstrate how policy innovation reduces landfill dependency. Decentralized systems, as seen in parts of Scandinavia, empower local communities to manage waste through neighborhood initiatives, alleviating municipal burdens. Srinagar could explore outsourcing waste management to private firms under strict oversight, leveraging their expertise and technology while ensuring accountability through transparent contracts.

However, replicating these models requires addressing Srinagar’s unique challenges. Financial limitations demand creative solutions, such as public-private partnerships or international grants. Behavioral change remains a hurdle; cultural attitudes toward waste must shift through targeted campaigns in schools, media, and religious institutions. Geographical constraints, including harsh winters and hilly terrain, necessitate adaptive strategies, such as winter-resistant collection schedules or modular waste processing units. Policy reforms must also prioritize measurable targets for waste reduction, recycling rates, and composting, backed by penalties for non-compliance and incentives for compliance.

To bridge these gaps, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Policy revisions should mandate source segregation, introduce EPR frameworks, and establish clear timelines for phasing out landfills. Investments in modern infrastructure—including material recovery facilities, biogas plants, and recycling hubs—are critical. Public awareness campaigns, leveraging local influencers and digital platforms, can foster a culture of responsibility. Decentralized pilot projects in select neighborhoods could demonstrate the viability of community-led waste management, while stricter penalties for littering and corporate partnerships for recycling drives could enhance accountability.

Srinagar’s journey toward sustainable waste management hinges on collaboration between policymakers, citizens, and experts. By integrating global best practices with locally tailored solutions, the city can transform its waste crisis into an opportunity for ecological stewardship and civic pride.

**Recommendations for Immediate Action:**
1. **Policy Overhaul:** Introduce legally binding targets for waste reduction, recycling, and composting, supported by EPR mandates for manufacturers.
2. **Infrastructure Investment:** Prioritize funding for recycling plants, composting units, and waste-to-energy facilities through public-private partnerships.
3. **Community Engagement:** Launch city-wide awareness campaigns, school programs, and incentives for compliant households and businesses.
4. **Technology Integration:** Adopt AI-driven waste tracking systems and modern machinery for efficient collection and processing.
5. **Decentralized Models:** Empower local councils and NGOs to manage neighborhood-level waste initiatives with municipal support.
6. **Climate Adaptation:** Design waste systems resilient to seasonal challenges, such as mobile units for winter months.

By embracing these strategies, Srinagar can transition from a landfill-dependent system to one that prioritizes sustainability, public health, and environmental preservation.

The author is a medical doctor at Mubarak Hospital, a civil society campaigner, and a member of the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC). He can be reached at [email protected].