Solid Waste in Mountainous Regions of India, Pakistan and Nepal

Project Summary:

The objective of this grant is to develop a sustainable solid waste management model for mountainous regions. Rapid urbanization and an influx of tourism and indiscriminate solid waste dumping is adversely affecting the ecosystem. Currently the region lacks waste management practices and adequate infrastructure to handle human induced pollution.  Recent attempts have been made to address the issues such as banning plastics, but the region recognizes a comprehensive plan and strategy is needed to manage waste.  Unique characteristics of the Himalayan Region such as waste generation patters (sudden spurts during tourist season and widely varying composition) and challenging topography and land constraints require a unique set of waste management solutions. This KGGTF funded program builds on multiple World Bank projects and will support the creation of a highly customized solution and strategy for solid waste management.  It will develop an implementation model to be deployed across the Himalayan region.  And further will design and establish hands-on training and capacity building programs for stakeholder agencies and institutions such as the local municipal governments, planning and regulatory agencies and key decision makers to effectively implement the strategy.  

List of Activities:

1. Review of Current Practices of Waste Management in the Himalayan / mountainous regions in India, Nepal and Pakistan - Knowledge and understanding among stakeholder on environmental impacts of current solid waste management practices on the local environment
2. Analysis of Options and Development of models for management of solid waste in Himalayan/mountainous regions - Development of sustainable solid waste management model for each of the three regions in India, Nepal and Pakistan 
3. Development of Program for implementation in select / sample cities / regions - Stakeholder buy-in and acceptance for the implementation of ‘an environment friendly sustainable system for Urban Sector using modern green growth technologies for Solid Waste Management in participating countries. 
4. Roll out of capacity building and knowledge exchange programs - Long term capacity developed in participating agencies in the management of solid waste in mountainous regions

Outcomes:

Output 1:

• Report on current practices on waste management prepared

Output 2:

• Report on Sustainable solid waste management in mountainous regions prepared 

Output 3:

• Implementation plan for the roll out of solid waste management program developed

Output 4:

• Report on Training and capacity building program 

Outcomes:

• Improved efficiency: Scientific management of municipal solid waste directly contributes to improving environmental quality of cities and its natural resources. This becomes even more important, in sensitive environments such as Himalayan / mountainous regions. The proposed activity hence contributes to efficient use / management of natural resources and minimizing environmental impacts. The proposed activity will also contribute to reducing GHG emissions from municipal solid waste, and associated climate mitigation impacts. Large scale implementation of the model developed through the proposed activity will further contribute to efficient use of natural resources and climate change mitigation.
• Greater resilience:  The proposed activity, primarily contributes to the improvement of mountainous environment and associated climate co-benefits by reducing GHG emissions. This also contributes to enhanced resilience in the face of climate change. The proposed model for the sustainable solid waste management, will avoid impacts on valuable natural resources such as forests, water resources and soil contamination. This further contributes to greater climate resilience and associated economic benefits.
• Increased competitiveness: As highlighted earlier, the proposed activity is expected to contribute to the environmental improvements and the quality of life in the regions of focus. Considering the tourism potential and rich natural resources, these improvements will help the region become more competitive and attractive. In addition to bringing in more tourism revenue, the environmental improvements also contribute to higher economic contribution from mountainous regions to the state revenues.

Collaboration with K-Partners and Others:

• Korea Environment Corporation (KECO)
• Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI)
• Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation (SLC)
• UN Environment Program (UNEP)
• German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)