Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Practices of Solid Waste Management in Rural Sikkim

Abstract

Generation of waste and disposal in rural areas has not been the prime focus for deliberation, unlike the urban areas where it is regarded as a crucial issue that demands immediate attention and solution. Until recently, managing solid waste was not considered an issue in rural areas of Sikkim. However, with the proliferation of solid waste in recent years due to increasing population, the growth of tourism industry and changing consumption patterns have prompted the government of Sikkim to decentralise the responsibility of managing solid waste in compliance with the guidelines of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). Based on primary data collected from the two Gram Panchayats, namely Mellidara Paiyong and Lungchok Kamarey in South Sikkim district, the paper attempts to comprehend the various types of waste generated, and critically evaluate the common conventional methods and practices adopted by the villagers for disposal of their household waste. Simultaneously, it also attempts to assess various policies and strategies taken up by the local self-government in managing the solid waste generated from households.