Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
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- Define Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste.
- Provide an overview of the scale of C&D waste generation in India.
- Introduce the problem of unregulated disposal of C&D waste in urban India.
2. Environmental Impacts of Unregulated C&D Waste Disposal
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- Urban Flooding Risk:
- C&D waste dumped in open drains and water channels causes blockages, leading to flooding.
- Example: The 2015 Chennai floods, worsened by the clogging of stormwater drains due to C&D waste (BMPC).
- Hydrological Disruption and Ecological Damage:
- Dumping C&D waste in wetlands and riverbeds disrupts natural water systems and harms aquatic life.
- Example: The Yamuna River in Delhi has been severely affected by the dumping of C&D waste in its riverbed (BMPC).
- Soil and Water Pollution:
- Leachate from C&D waste pollutes soil and groundwater, leading to long-term contamination.
- C&D waste contributes to degradation of land and water quality.
- Fugitive Dust Pollution:
- Dust from C&D activities contains harmful pollutants like silica, asbestos, and lead.
- Example: In Delhi, the construction sector is a major contributor to PM2.5 pollution, affecting air quality (BMPC).
- Landfill Overload:
- Increasing C&D waste puts pressure on landfills, leading to more waste sites and depletion of scarce land resources.
- Urban Flooding Risk:
3. Remedial Measures
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- Recovery and Segregation:
- Maintain inventories of construction activities and designate areas for C&D waste disposal.
- Impose fines for illegal dumping.
- Mandate segregation of waste at construction sites.
- Reduction and Reuse:
- Encourage designs that minimize C&D waste.
- Implement practices such as covering construction sites and wetting dust to reduce pollution.
- Recycling:
- Set up recycling plants for processing C&D waste into usable products like aggregates, bricks, and tiles.
- Set recycling targets for construction projects.
- Incentivize the use of recycled products by reducing GST and ensuring quality control.
- Regulatory Enforcement:
- Strengthen the implementation of Construction and Demolition Waste Rules, 2016, and Swachh Bharat Mission.
- Encourage collaboration between government agencies and private stakeholders to create a more sustainable waste management framework.
Conclusion
- Summarize the environmental issues caused by unregulated C&D waste disposal.
- Emphasize the need for effective waste management practices, stricter enforcement of regulations, and adoption of recycling measures to reduce the environmental impact.
- Recovery and Segregation:
Relevant Facts:
- India generates 150 million tonnes of C&D waste annually, with only 1.3% being recycled (Building Material Promotion Council).
- Chennai floods (2015) were exacerbated by the dumping of C&D waste in stormwater drains (BMPC).
- Yamuna River in Delhi faces ecological damage due to C&D waste dumping in its riverbed (BMPC).
- PM2.5 pollution from C&D activities is a major contributor to air quality issues in Delhi (BMPC).
- Construction and Demolition Waste Rules, 2016 mandate proper management of C&D waste to minimize environmental impact.
Model Answer
The improper disposal of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, particularly in open drains and water channels, leads to blockages during heavy rains, exacerbating urban flooding. For example, the 2015 Chennai floods were worsened by the obstruction of stormwater drains caused by discarded C&D debris (Building Material Promotion Council).
Hydrological Disruption and Ecological Damage
When C&D waste is discarded in sensitive areas like wetlands, riverbeds, or water channels, it disrupts the natural hydrological balance and damages aquatic ecosystems. The Yamuna River in Delhi has experienced significant ecological degradation due to C&D waste dumping in its riverbed (Source: BMPC).
Soil and Water Pollution
C&D waste often releases leachate and fine chemical particles, contaminating soil and groundwater. These pollutants degrade soil quality and contribute to land and water pollution, posing long-term environmental risks.
Fugitive Dust Pollution
C&D activities contribute significantly to fugitive dust pollution, which contains harmful substances such as silica, asbestos, and lead. In Delhi, the construction sector is a major contributor to PM2.5 pollution, which worsens air quality and can lead to smog formation .
Landfill Overload
The increasing amount of C&D waste places pressure on landfills, leading to the creation of more disposal sites and contributing to the depletion of scarce land resources.