LAND POLLUTION

Scale of Waste Problem: -
· Faridabad generates ~700–1,500 tonnes of municipal waste daily.
· Large portion goes untreated due to low processing capacity (~150 TPD vs ~1,000 TPD waste).

Environmental & Climate Impact: -

· Decomposing waste releases methane (≈28× stronger than CO₂).

· Landfills cause groundwater contamination via toxic leachate.

· Waste burning worsens air quality (PM2.5 often >150 µg/m³).

Major Dumping Crisis: -

· Bandhwari landfill is overloaded, with waste piles >40 m high and recurring fires.

· Legacy waste buildup remains largely untreated.

Health & Ecological Effects: -

· Increased disease risk due to pests, foul air, and polluted water.

· Stray animals ingest plastic waste and suffer fatal health issues.

· Soil degradation and biodiversity loss in the Aravalli region.

Regulatory Framework: -

· Managed by Haryana State Pollution Control Board and Municipal Corporation of Faridabad.

· Key rules: Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, Plastic Waste Rules 2024, Environmental Protection Act 1986.

· City bye-laws allow penalties for littering and mandate segregation.

System Failures: -

· Poor household segregation compliance.

· Only ~83% of waste collected; rest dumped illegally.

· Informal and inconsistent collection in many areas.

· Over 23,000 unauthorized industries reportedly dump waste illegally.

Recent Government Actions (2024–2025): -

· National Green Tribunal issued notices over mismanagement.

· State plan proposes 13 integrated waste plants, e-waste centers, and a hazardous waste facility in Pali.

· Plans for waste-to-energy and waste-to-charcoal plants.

· Doorstep pickup for construction waste launched.

· Efforts aligned with national initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission and Mission LIFE.

Key Challenges: -

· Lack of land for new waste facilities due to public opposition.

· Slow legacy waste cleanup.

· Heavy reliance on a single landfill.

· Weak enforcement of segregation rules.