FROM THE EDITOR
Urban India’s biggest challenge has been waste management. Until a few years back the problem of waste was considered as one of cleaning and disposing off as rubbish. But a closer look at the current and future scenario reveals that waste needs to be treated holistically, understanding its generation and the impact it has on health & the environment. There is also a need to understand the infrastructure requirements to store and treat waste as well as its social dimensions.
Municipal bodies, various government agencies, urban planners, NGOs, technology & system providers, citizens’ groups and industries should work in tandem to find sustainable solutions. Very often, dumping grounds are opened very close to residential areas without the knowledge of the local people. On the other hand, dumping grounds would be so far away that it may not be viable for industries to spend on transportation of waste. When CIJ’s Mohana visited the dyeing units of Tirupur, she found the highly toxic sludge dumped in the open space within the premises. There are also cases of many industrial units sending out untreated liquid waste overlooking the legal requirements. In a densely populated country like India, creating awareness about reducing waste generation --- hazardous or non hazardous --- is as important as creating scientific disposal and recycle facilities.
As this issue was going to press, the news about the acquisition of Radhakrishna Hospitality Services Group by French food service giant Sodexo came in. According to Yann Coleou, President-India operations, the Indian market offers strong growth opportunities. “The market is growing by 25-30% every year,” he said. It is encouraging that while markets are shrinking around the world, India is still displaying strength. Clean India Journal had a visitor from Germany, representing a manufacturer of high value cleaning equipment. He too commented that compared to some of the European markets, India has better potential and sustaining power. A good time to take stock! |
Editor
Clean India Journal |
