A probe into the policy framework of solid waste management: it‘s applicability in Darjeeling Municipality

The management of municipal solid waste is a topic that has moved to the forefront of infrastructural agenda and embarrassment to most of the ULBs. The authorities are struggling to grapple with the rising heap of garbage. They are yet to come up with a magic wand to ward away this pervasive problem. The waste is an offshoot of unplanned urbanization, unstoppable population growth and a reckless lifestyle change. Despite the promulgation of various policies, the picture of their implementation seems very dismal. Moreover, when it comes to hill areas the overall waste scenario and its management becomes bleak. The authorities have limited themselves to collect and dispose indiscriminately without the waste being processed. The million dollar question is who is to be blamed for the system failure. The policy, the institutional debilities, the public or the mismatch. The blame game goes on. It is in this regard, the paper makes a humble endeavor to touch upon the policies of municipal solid waste management and cite possible reasons of systemic failure specifically in hill area with reference to Darjeeling Municipality. It calls for the inclusive policies to have hill perspective based on the local need.