Environment & Ecology
Waste Management
Waste Management, at its core, encompasses the systematic processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes collection, transport, treatment, recycling,
22 articles in this topic
Articles on Waste Management
India and the Rising Global Pesticide Toxicity
Published on: 24 February, 2026 A recent Science journal study quantifies Indias high contribution to global pesticide risks via Total Applied Toxicity (TAT), urging reforms amid stalled UN biodiversity goals.
Illegal Coal Mine Explosion in Meghalaya
Context Illegal coal mine explosion in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, killing 18 workers, highlights continued prevalence of rat-hole mining despite regulatory bans. What is Rat Hole Coal Mining? Illegal coal mining is most prevalent in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Meghalaya’s Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo Hills, where coal seams are thin and scattered, making mechanized mining economically unattractive.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026
In News The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, superseding the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 The rules have been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and will come into full effect from April 1, 2026. The rules provide for the levy of environmental compensation based on the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle for non-compliance, including cases of operating witho
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026
In News India has notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, replacing the 2016 version to embed circular economy principles and producer responsibility, effective April 1, 2026. About The rules embed circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to prioritize waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery over disposal. They target urban Indias waste crisis (over 62 million tonnes annually, with bulk generators contributing ~30%), mandating systemic shifts via technol
Urban Wastewater Management (UWM)
Context Recent incidents of sewage mixing with drinking water in Indian cities highlight serious gaps in Urban Wastewater Management (UWM), posing risks of large-scale public health crises. About Generation vs. Treatment Gap: India generates approximately 72,368 MLD (Million Litres per Day) of urban wastewater, but the treatment capacity is only about 28-44%.
India’s Urban Waste Crisis: Demands a Circular Economy Overhaul
Published on: 03 January, 2026 Urban India is grappling with a mounting garbage crisis with rapid urbanization, burgeoning populations, and inadequate infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for a paradigm shift to address this growing challenge.
Needs of Bioremediation In India
Context India urgently needs bioremediation to restore polluted ecosystems, and ensure sustainable urban development, as over 16 lakh tonnes of legacy waste. What is Bioremediation? It means ‘restoring life through biology’.
Microplastics Pollution Threatens Estuarine Fisheries
In News A recent study found widespread microplastic contamination in fish along Goa’s Mandovi estuary. Microplastics They are tiny plastic pieces or fibers smaller than 5 millimeters—some are even invisible to the human eye. They come in various forms, such as beads, fragments, pellets, film, foam, and fibers.
E-Waste Collection Faces Gaps as Government Sets Sights on Recycling for Precious Metals
Context As India pushes itself forward for local electronics manufacturing, from semiconductor fabs to the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), e-waste recycling threatens to undercut the progress. About e-Waste in India E-waste — discarded electronic and electrical equipment — contains valuable materials such as copper, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, lithium, gold, and rare earth elements (REEs). India generated an estimated 4.17 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2022, but only about
No Riverbed Mining Nod Without Sand Replenishment Study: SC
Context In a major decision aimed at curbing environmental damage from sand mining, the Supreme Court emphasized that no approval can be granted for mining in a riverbed without a thorough scientific study. About The court described this “replenishment study” as a mandatory requirement, upholding a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that had cancelled the environmental clearance for a mining project in Jammu and Kashmir. It emphasised that the District Survey Report is essential to scientifical
Radioactive Contamination in Punjab’s Groundwater
Context The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources raised concern over the continued presence of uranium contamination in drinking water sources in Punjab and called for urgent solutions to safeguard public health. Uranium contamination in India According to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) survey of 2019–20, out of nearly 16,000 groundwater samples, around 450 exceeded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) permissible limit. Uranium contamination is reported to be more prevale
New Rules on Chemically Contaminated Sites
Context The Environment Ministry has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, that give a legal structure to a process of addressing chemical contamination. What are contaminated sites? According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Contaminated sites are those where hazardous and other wastes were dumped historically, leading to the contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water.
Contamination of Ground Water in India
Context India relies heavily on groundwater for drinking and irrigation, but rapid, unregulated extraction has led to widespread contamination. India’s groundwater crisis India depends on groundwater for about 85% of its rural drinking water needs and around 60% of irrigation water. Despite an increase in rainfall over the past decades, groundwater replenishment is insufficient due to excessive withdrawals and encroachments on natural recharge zones.
Missing Link in India’s Battery Waste Management
Context As India strides in promoting green mobility and solar adoption, the infrastructure and policy framework for handling end-of-life batteries remains fragmented and inadequate. India’s EV and Energy Storage Boom India is undergoing rapid electrification, driven by decarbonisation goals and expanding electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Lithium battery demand is projected to soar from 4 GWh in 2023 to nearly 139 GWh by 2035, propelled by both EVs and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the
Microplastics Detected in Human Brains
Context Recent scientific studies have found microplastics in human brains, raising concerns about potential health risks and need for a Global Plastics Treaty. What is Plastic and Microplastics? The word plastic is derived from the Greek word plastikos, meaning “capable of being shaped or moulded.” Plastic refers to a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient with their defining quality being their plasticity – the ability of a solid material to
Kerala High Court Bans Single-Use Plastic in Hilly Areas
Context The Kerala High Court has imposed a ban on single-use plastics in hilly tourist destinations and regulated the use of plastic bottles at large gatherings such as weddings and government events. Impact of plastic waste Climate and Biodiversity Linkages: Plastic waste in the hilly regions contributes to soil and water contamination, affecting biodiversity and local food systems. Environmental Sensitivity: Hilly regions are ecologically fragile and require extra safeguards against pollution
Cooking Oils Can Help Recover Silver from E-Waste
Context Researchers in Finland have developed a green chemical process that uses natural fatty acids found in cooking oils to recover silver from electronic waste (e-waste). About E-Waste E-waste refers to the discarded electronic and electrical devices that have reached the end of their lifespan or become obsolete due to rapid technological changes, including computers, phones, TVs, and other equipment. India ranks as the third-largest producer of electronic waste globally, following China and
Oil Spill off Kerala Coast
Context A Liberian-flagged cargo ship, MSC ELSA 3, sank 14 nautical miles off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea, resulting in a significant oil leak, raising environmental concerns. What is an Oil Spill? An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon from tankers, offshore platforms, drilling rigs or wells into the environment, especially marine areas.
Plastic Waste in Himalayas
Context According to a report more than 84% of the plastic waste collected in Himalayan region is posing serious environmental and systemic challenges. About According to data gathered from the Himalayan Cleanup (THC) 2024, conducted across nine Himalayan states, over 1.2 lakh pieces of waste were audited—88% of which were plastic. Within plastic waste, 84.2% was attributed to food and beverage packaging, and 71% of this was non-recyclable.
Geotubing: A Breakthrough in Coastal Erosion Control
Context A recent study has found that geotubing technology deployed at Poonthura, Kerala, has been highly effective in controlling coastal erosion. Geo-Tubing Technology for Coastal Erosion Geotubes are large fabric containers filled with sand or slurry, placed strategically along the coast. They act as wave barriers, diminishing the force of incoming waves and preventing shoreline erosion.