This document summarizes a study on solid waste management in Bandhgora, a village near Bolpur, West Bengal, India. It finds that rapid population growth and lack of awareness have led to improper disposal of household and industrial waste in open areas. This waste includes plastics, metals, glass, food waste and e-waste. If not managed properly, the waste poses risks like spreading diseases, polluting water and air, harming animals. The study recommends adopting more sustainable practices like reducing plastic use, reusing materials, composting food waste, and improving government waste management systems to curb emerging waste problems in the area.

1. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
48 RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
Solid waste as a detrimental release of human
substanceisalsoharmfulforglobal,regionalorlocal
level in respect of environmental degradation and a
significant source of pollution that includes large
numbers of used materials ranging from small pins,
glassware’s, toys, plastic contains, rejected shoes,
polythene bags, waste papers, rejected garments,
tires-tubes,disposalpartsofindustrialproducts,and
most newly electronic wastes, which are dumped on
the land.
Objectives:
The main objectives of this study are as follows;
1. To find out the types and sources of solid waste
materialsinthisstudyarea.2.Torecognizetherecent
environmental specially health problems and would
be generated problems.3. To recommend the
suggestive measures to restrain the emerging solid
waste problems.
Methodology:
The present work is divided into three phases. First,
pre- field, which includes selection of study area,
identification of the spots for the case studies,
collection of the necessary maps & literature &
preparing suitable questionnaires. Second phase is
thefieldworkforthegenerationofprimarydatafrom
the field and secondary data for different published
booklets to represent the work collection of the
necessary photographs & as the third phase post
fieldrepresentationofinformationgatheredforfield,
from secondary data with the help of maps and
diagrams as well as elaboration of results through
Research Paper—Geography
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November, 2010
SOLIDWASTEPROFILE&MANAGEMENT:
AMICRO-STUDYOFBANDHGORA,BOLPUR-
SRINIKETANBLOCK,BIRBHUM,WEST
BENGAL,INDIA
*Tapas pal
this rim of industrialization, urbanization, populace exploitation, human-induced residuals or wastes
are being generated in their all stages of production and consumption of goods and services. Solid waste
is a human induced disturbance, creates ecological as well as socio-environmental imbalance which
is the base cause of pollution during this post-industrialization period. It has created a serious
environmental crisis threatening to the existing and future generation to sustain in this globe.This
paper encompasses on the sources of solid wastes related problems of Bandhgora area in Bolpur
municipality and tries to propose few sustainable strategies.
A B S T R A C T
Key words: industrialization, populace exploitation.
* Research Scholar, Dept of Geography, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan
interpretation.
About the study area: Bolpur is a municipality in
Birbhum District in the state of West Bengal, India.
Itis145 kmnorthofKolkataandisbestknownforthe
proximity to Visva- Bharati, the university set up by
RabindranathTagoretheNobellaureatepoet.Given
its proximity to Santiniketan and Sriniketan it is one
of the seats of Culture and education in West
Bengal.Bolpurislocatedat23°40’N87°43’E/23°67’N
87°72’E / 23.67; 87.72. Bandhgora is a village of
south-west side of Bolpur which consist nichu-
bandhgora,uchhubandhgora,sabujpalli,natunpukur,
silpapally,Hazrapara,Bagdipara.
SolidWasteSilhouette:RecentStance
People do not pay awareness while disposing the
garbage ashes and other solid waste materials on
openpublicspaceorinfrontorcorneroftheirhouses.
With the drastic evolution of population number,
their industrial activities ,household activities
generateobnoxiouscolour,cartonboxes,beverages,
metal, glass,plastic,mineralwaste, agriculturalwaste,
whichpollutestheland-water-andairandeventually
give rise to various diseases.On the other side, huge
amount of waste materials are generated from the
houses of this area like damage vegetables fruits,
wasteoffish,eggs,Pitchboard-raymachine,plastic,
plastic can, glass bottle, expire medicine waste
clothing, e-waste, paints, chemicals, fluorescent,
tubes,light,bulbs,fertilizerand pesticidecontainers,
spray can, batteries, shoe polish from household
area; those are more hazardous and toxic.This study

2. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
49RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
area comprises of main locality having congested
settlement blueprint. People of this area suffer a lot
bydifferenttypesofwastesintheirdailyspeedylife.
In this case study, most of the households dispose
their waste materials in their house corner or nearer
to the dustbin. When these items are gathered in
disposal place they make fire on it. Hence it acts as
the source of air pollution or green-house upshot in
micro level. In silpa pally, Nichu Bandhgora area,
people partially use dustbin to dispose their waste
materials. On the lop side, Sabujpally, Hazrapara,
Bagdipara accumulate their waste material nearer to
the open land which is the sources of solid waste
problems.Inrespectofknowledgebankandliteracy
state, the folks of Bandhgora are very poor. So the
reuse or the scientific use of materials they do not
know properly. They are not conscious about the
dailysolidmaterialsalsotheydonotknowthat,after
creationofthesewasteitems,howtheywilltackleit?
So with the invention of time, the burden of solid
waste components is being generated in their
environment.ThepresentMunicipalitycooperation
is not too modernized in this area to remove this
waste or in campaign consciousness among
population of this area.
Locational blueprint of different sources of solid
wastecenters
(Source:FieldsurveybyAuthor,2010)
Source:FieldsurveybyAuthor,Oct.2010
Stills indicate: (1) well has been closed out by solid
garbage by local people’s mismanagement of solid
wastes at Sriniketantan road of Bandhgora (2)
Deposition of Solid Waste in high drain. (3) Pond is
being lost its own identity for solid waste deposition
bylocalpeoplesatSabujpalli.(4)Openairsolidwaste
depositiongroundalongBypassroadsofBandhgora,
localsanimalsarebeingaffectedthroughit.(5)Plastic
cups are being deposited in front of Tea stall as solid
waste.(6)Blackashfrombittenricemillsisdeposited
alongBypassroad.(7)Lackofpropermunicipality’s
solid waste management and these are now being
stored at unplanned dustbin parallel with drain and
ultimatelyfromthisdustbindirt’saremovingtowards
the drain, which can block the same and create
problematic condition in society near Muslimpara.
(8) People left soft drinking can in open Bypass road
(9)SolidwastedepositiongroundnearSacredGrove
location in Bandhgora, hits that peoples are not
conscious about waste items and its proper
management, so; sacred zone is also contamined
from solid wastes problem.
Riskassociatedwithsolidwasteproblem:
Ifwewouldliketoforecastthefutureproblemsofthis
arearelatingtosolidwastedisposal,atfirstweshould
know about the span of different disposal items that
means how long these can spread contamination.
Ifsolidwastesarenotmanagedproperlyinthisarea,
there are many negative impacts those may result.
The relative importance of each depends very much
on local conditions. Uncollected wastes often end in
drains, causing blockage which result in flooding
and insanitary condition. Flies breed in some
constituentsofsolidwastesandfliesareveryeffective
vectors that spread diseases. Mosquitoes breed in
blocked drains and in rain water that is retained in
discardedcanes,tyresandotherobjects.Mosquitoes
spread diseases, including malaria and dengue. Rats
find shelter and food in waste dumps. Rats consume
and spoil foods, spread disease, damage electrical
cables, and inflict unpleasant bites.
The open burning of waste causes air
pollution;theproductsofcombustionincludedioxins
whichareparticularlyhazardous.Aerosolsanddusts
can spread fungi and pathogens from uncollected
and decomposing wastes. Uncollected waste
degradestheurbanenvironment,discouragingefforts
tokeepstreetsandopenspaceinacleanandattractive
condition. Plastic bags are a particular aesthetic
nuisanceandtheycausethedeathofgrazinganimals
which eat them. Waste collection workers face
particularoccupationhazards,includingstrainsfrom
lifting, injuries from sharp objects and traffic
accidents. Dumps of waste and abandoned vehicles
blockstreetsandotheraccessways.Dangerousitems
(such as broken glass razors blades, hypodermic
needles and other healthcare waste aerosols cans
and potentially explosive containers and chemicals
from industries) make risks of injury or poisoning,
particularly to children and people who sort through
the waste. Heavy refuse collection trucks can cause
significant damage to the surfaces of roads that were
not designed for such weights. Waste items that are
recycled without being cleaned effectively or
sterilized can transmit infection to later users; for
example,bottlesandmedicalsupplies.Pollutedwater
(leached) flowing from waste dumps and disposal
sites can cause serious pollution of water supplies.
Chemicalwastes(especiallypersistentorganics)may
be fatal or have series effects if ingested, inhaled or
touchedandcancausewidespreadpollutionofwater
supplies. Large quantities of waste that have not
been placed according to good engineering practice
can slip and collapse, burying and killing people.
Waste that is treated of in unsatisfactory ways can
cause a severe aesthetic nuisance in terms of smell
and appearance. Liquids and fumes, escaping from

3. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
50 RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
deposits of chemical wastes (perhaps formed as a
result of chemical reactions between components in
the wastes), can have fatal or other serious effects.
Landfillgas(whichisproducedbythedecomposition
ofwastes)canbeexplosiveifitisallowedtoaccumulate
in confined spaces. Methane (one of the main
components of landfill gas) is much more effective
than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, leading to
climate change. Fires on disposal sites can cause
major air pollution, causing illness and reducing
visibility, making disposal sites dangerously
unstable, causing explosion of canes and possibly
spreadingtoadjacentproperty.Formerdisposalsites
provide very poor foundation support for large
buildings,sobuildingsconstructionsonformersites
are prone to collapse. The solid waste is collected in
opendumpsnearallhousesinthisarea.Thesecauses
public health problem by serving or breeding place
for the carriers of diseases such as rat, mosquitoes,
flies, cockroaches etc which generate
disesstyphoid,cholera,dysentery,plague,tuberculosis,encephalitis,
typhus etc.Again on the lop side this dumps pollutes
the air, when they are burnt to reduce its volume.
When water run on these dump zone, it pollutes
water,percolatesdowntogroundwatertable&direct
to the tank, so water become polluted. Aerobic &
non-aerobicreactionstakesplaceinsidethelandfills
andthisgeneratesgasseslikemethane,H2S,CO2,&
increases the temperature of the inside of these land
fillupto65degreetemperature.Fromthiszonetoxic
gases are released into the atmosphere which causes
of air and water pollution. Again Burning rubbish
processesorincinerationreleasesharmfulgasessome
of which may contribute to global warming.
Pre-Measures:
To restrain the adverse consequence of solid waste
we should adopted some pre-measures under the
followingway-
Movetooldearthenfashion:Weshouldchangeour
perceptioninrespectofuseofgoodsandcommodity.
If we adopt the earthen (clay, sand, mud) material
basedutensilsinourkitchenlife;thenahugeamount
of solid waste can be removed. Today, the Kumor-
culturehasbeenlostfromearth’smodernizedhistory.
All the families are trying to adopt modernized
stainlesssteelorglassforbowl,dish,plates,cup,jug
etc; ultimately in this way these all items move to
wastematerials.Ifwelookatsome10yearsbackthen
we can find out that, all in ceremonies (marriage or
birth bay, cremation) people used the specific eco-
friendlyfood-dishlikeSalleavesmadedishandmud
madeglass.Buttodaywehavebeenlosingthisculture
.So for environment’s goodness, we have to change
ourplasticorstainlessorglassculturefromourdaily
life. In this way we can reduce the burden of solid
waste to some extent.
Changethebehavioralsite:Weshouldmaintainsome
eco-fruitful behavioral like; 1.When we have to be
moved in shopping center to purchase items then we
should use paper rather plastic bags. 2. In daily life,
the kitchen waste items like vegetables, fruits, rice
otherfooditemsshouldgivetolocalanimalsindaily
at specific location. Through this maintaining, we
can curtail the food waste and pollution from our
daily life.3. In respect of garments we would like to
stop the ‘one garment for one time’ concept and in
caseofricher,theoldoneshouldbedistributedamong
the poorer. In this way we can reuse the garments.
4. Pack your lunch in reusable bags rather foil pack
whenyouwilljourneyintrain.5.Purchasefruitsand
vegetables loose rather packed when these are
required.6.Procurerefillsmaterials.7.Utilizeshopping
bags and reject unnecessary carrier bags.8. Buy
recycled goods. 9. Obtain reusable nappies.10. Buy
softdrinksinlargebottles.11.Prefersturdyproducts
like rechargeable batteries.
WhataboutGovernment?
To tackle the recent solid waste challenge, our
democraticgovernmentshouldrealizetheroleithas
been playing. Because only with the changing of
human’s taste, perception, behavior and philosophy
wecannotfightagainstwasteitemsreductionandits
noxious gloom. Government should make a waste
free prescription and strictly that would be
implemented in all over India with special
parliamentary law; in which non eco-friendly solid
items should be banned totally as well as their
production. But, we are so unfortunate that our
administration cannot do it; because a huge amount
of revenue is collected with different solid items
production. We cannot reduce these items until the
Governmentwilltakeappropriateactioninthisregard.
ExamplescanbecitedfromGangtok(capitalofSikkim)
where use of plastic has been totally prohibited by
theirStateGovernment. Itismostlyworriedmatterthat,
Indian Government is failed to reduce the burden of
solidwastefromourcivilization.Forinstance;evenin
this 2010, plastic cup, foil packets, plastic made cold
drink, water bottles, chip packets are being used in
IndianRailways.Differentsoftdrinkscontainingplastic
bottles are being sold in whole India.
Change the philosophy about environment: Our
philosophy will be followed in environmental
conservation.Weshouldnotcreateanycircumstance
bywhichasocietywillfacesolidwasteproblem.So,
inconclusionwecanreducethesolidwasteproblem

4. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
51RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
Table: Upshot of solid waste pollution in Bandhgora case study area
Name of the diseases No. of affected Reasons
Asthma 10 Toxic gases releases from incineration
Vomiting 17 Bacterial infection
Gastroentitis 59 Polluted water ,viral infection
High fever 32 viral infection emerge from dumping ground
Respiratory tract infection 12 Toxic gases smoking dust releases from different industries
Dysentery 25 Bacteria virus infection
Loose motion 29 Bacteria. protozoa infection
Chest pain 4 Dust
Skin allergy 7 Sewage, garbage, grill factory(toxic co lour)
Abdomen pain 8 Poisons releases from open landfill area
Convulsion 4 Bacterial infection
Diarrhea 28 Polluted water
Source: Field survey, 2010.
Suggestive measures in a scientific landscape
through the maintaining under the following catchy
lines-
‘Wearetheinventorratherdestroyer
Wearetheinnovatorratherpolluter
We can use resource rather abuse it
We can utilize solids rather waste it’
Post-Measures:
Properwastemanagementistheprimaryrequisiteto
preserve sanitation and health site of this area,
particularly for the area-dwellers. With an ever-
increasing magnitude of solid waste problem in and
aroundhumansettlementinthestudyarea,theproper
management should be done by following avenues.
Most sustainable clarification is to diminish the
amountofwastewhichwecreate.Comparedwith50
years ago, food canes are 50%lighter, yoghurt pots
are60%lighter,glassbottlesare50%lighter,plastic
carrier bag are half as thick. Buyers can help by
choosing ‘not to buy goods with packing or
disposablecontainers’,asthesewecurtail10-20%of
all domestic waste.Solid waste may be put to direct
or indirect use. Some examples are; 1.fly ash can
apply as cementing materials for made up of
bricks.2.electricity should be produced from waste
plasticbyplasmatechnology. Recyclingofoldwaste
to make new products. It cuts down the amount of
rubbishandkeepsnaturalrecoursesbydecliningthe
needfornewmaterial.Therearesomeothersporadic
vistas by which we- all the maintainer of our eco-
society can maintain the health environment. These
Table:Number of the sources of solid waste centers except household
sources of solid waste Numerical value Types of solid waste
of the centers
Rice mill 1 Rice dust
Chi rah mill 2 Fire wood, Kura ,agar
Bakery 2 Chat
Saw mill 3 Sawdust
Chanachur factory 1 Poisonous colour used in this area
Sweet shop 3 Whey
Grill and almery factory 11 Slag machineries
Flour and oil mill 3 Khai
Motorcycle garage 3 Burned-mobile. slag irons, used bits of cloths
Other vehicles repairing garage (bus, taxi. truck, etc. 2 Slag machineries
Grocery 14 Plastic, carton box ,tin, rejected jut bag
Photo study 2 Photo film, photo
Source: Field Survey, 2010
Table: Long root of diverse waste materials
Waste items duration of life-expanse
Cotton rags 1-5months
Paper 2-5 months
Orange peel Upto6 months
Photo-film 20-30 years
Tin cans 50-100 years
Wool socks 1-5 years
Plastic-coated drinking cartons 5 years
Cigarettes ends 1-12 years
Lather shoes 25-50 years
Artificial fiber cloths like nylon 30-40 years
Sources: Whitakers-world of facts, 2007, Ash Russels.

5. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
52 RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
1. www.wasteonline.org.uk. 2. Ash Russell (2007) Whitaker’s world of facts,Penguine Books India, New Delhi, India. 3.
Santra S.N. (2004) Environmental science’, New central book agency (p)ltd.,Kolkata,India. 4. Singh Sabindre (2005)
Environmental geography’,Prayag Pustak Bhawan,Allahabad.India. 5. www.smartplanet.com 6. Monga,G.S. (2001)
‘Environmental development’ ‘Deep and Deep Publications Pvt.ltd,New Delhi. 7. Aggarwal S.K.and Dubey (2002)
‘Environmental controversies’ APH Publishing corporation, New Delhi.
R E F E R E N C E