Solid waste management techniques for the waste generated and brought down from campsites in the hill spots, trails and expedition tops

Abstract

The increasing self-generated solid waste from the visitors in the hill towns, trails and expedition tops is one of the most adverse forms of human impacts in mountain environments. The direct managing authorities, such as municipalities in the hill spots, have no proper places to dispose of municipal waste nor the other infrastructure required nor adequate funds. The trekking and expedition areas are entirely dependent on the moral responsibilities of the local people, as well as visitors, because these locations are in remote areas, outside municipal boundaries. Based on five major case studies representing the Himalayas, the status of solid waste generation, its physical composition and management options in tourist [Kullu: 1219 metres above average sea level (m), Rewalsar: 1300 m, Manali: 2050 m], trekking (in and around the Valley of Flowers: 1830-4330 m) and expedition areas (Pindari valley: 2300-5500 m) were studied. The inflow of visitors ranged from 150 000 to 1 140 251 in the hill spots, and from 25 000 to 116 392 in the expedition and trekking areas, respectively. The capita-1 day-1 waste generation varied from 200-300 g in hill spots and from 200-288 g in expedition and trekking areas, respectively. Biodegradable waste varied from 65.2 to 83.1% of the total waste generated and was of greater quantity than non-biodegradable waste in expedition areas. Non-biodegradable waste was the predominant form in the expedition (66.4%) and trekking areas (84.5%). The ultimate aim of the study is to make the concerned local people, visitors and government aware of the need to harness energy from waste. This can be done in various ways including biocomposting, and the reuse and recycling of waste otherwise considered valueless and useless.